Looking back on the first day of minicamp

SARASOTA, Fla. - Did we learn anything of importance yesterday on the first day of minicamp?

Well, Hunter Harvey and Dylan Bundy insist that they're 100 percent physically. Harvey said he's thrown three bullpen sessions, which might make a few people nervous in the organization. They don't want him pushing it and risking a more serious injury to his elbow.

Bundy continues to long-toss from 150 feet. A mound session isn't far off, but the Orioles like how he's learned to take his foot off the accelerator. It's all part of the maturation process.

Good news on both fronts. Harvey and Bundy are big parts of the club's future, both first-round picks who need to be developed while prices skyrocket on free agent pitchers.

It's possible that the Orioles will bring in Gavin Floyd for a tryout that could lead to a spring training invitation. They really don't have much to lose. Take a look at him and see whether he could be signed to a minor league deal.

The Orioles have long held interest in Floyd, dating to the 2001 draft. The Phillies selected Floyd with the fourth overall pick. The Orioles took left-hander Chris Smith at No. 7.

My apologies for the reminder.

Manager Buck Showalter wasn't offering a prediction when he stated that he wouldn't be surprised if Chris Davis remained on the free agent market in February or March. He simply was responding to a question. Was he surprised that no one had signed Davis?

Too much was read into it.

Upon further review, the Orioles currently have 55 players on their spring training roster. The math has been adjusted.

Showalter prefers to keep the number at 59, making sure there are enough lockers in the main clubhouse at Ed Smith Stadium, but adjustments can be made.

Reporters must wait until spring training to get their first look at Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim.

"We've had people see him play 20, 30 games over there," Showalter said. "We've got a pretty good idea of what he's done over there. That will be interesting."

Jason Garcia is at minicamp and he's expected to continue workouts in California with vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson. Garcia has shed his Rule 5 status and most likely will begin the 2016 season at Double-A Bowie.

The Orioles want to develop Garcia into a multi-inning reliever, but he may become a starter again down the road. To be determined.

"We've talked here and there, but nothing definite yet," Garcia said yesterday. "Kind of see how this spring goes and see whatever works best for the team."

Garcia will report to spring training next month with the same goal of making the club, no matter how high the odds are stacked against him.

"Yeah, definitely," he said. "My mindset about that hasn't changed. The goal is still going to be to hopefully break with the team out of spring training."

Garcia went 1-0 with a 4.25 ERA and 1.416 WHIP in 21 games last season, his first above the low Single-A level. He regained some velocity and was more effective after coming off the disabled list in August following a three-month absence.

"It was a lot different," Garcia said. "I think my mindset and just my confidence was different. Working with Millsy (Alan Mills) in Bowie I think was pretty crucial for me, and just getting everything right. I felt a lot more confident coming back from that rehab stint this past year."

The confidence showed yesterday with Garcia no longer the nervous Rule 5 pick.

"It feels a lot different," he said. "Just the experience and everything from what I learned and went through, this offseason I got to sit down and think about and take it in. It was awesome and I'm pumped, excited."

Asked to name one important lesson, Garcia fumbled for an answer.

"There's a ton. It's hard to choose from. That's a hard question. I probably can't choose one thing," he said.

"On the field, probably just how different the game is, the pace of the game. Just realizing it's the same game, but trusting in myself. Just competing."