More morning Orioles notes and Twins lineup

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Orioles continue to list left-hander Brian Matusz as the starter for Friday's game against the Red Sox in Fort Myers. Boston is sending Justin Masterson to the mound.

Saturday's starter against the Twins in Fort Myers is listed as TBA, but it would be Miguel Gonzalez's turn.

Matusz is the subject of intense trade speculation. The Orioles are willing to move him, which has been reported many times since the 2014 season ended, and scouts are getting a prolonged look at him with his last two outings lasting 2 1/3 and three innings. He's set to make his second start on Friday.

Matusz was viewed as a potential non-tender before the Orioles settled with him on a $3.2 million contract. He can't become a free agent until 2017.

The Orioles signed left-hander Wesley Wright over the winter and also have southpaw T.J. McFarland. They've got two Rule 5 pitchers, Logan Verrett and Jason Garcia, who have made favorable impressions dating back to the January minicamp. A starter such as Ubaldo Jimenez may be forced into the bullpen.

A trade may be necessary to loosen the logjam. Stay tuned.

Garcia threw a bullpen session yesterday to test his left hamstring and is nearing a return to Grapefruit League games. He's been limited to two appearances, none since March 10.

The Orioles have scored 25 runs in the last two days after totaling 15 over a stretch of eight games.

Today's lineup doesn't include third baseman Manny Machado or catcher Matt Wieters, of course, but they'll return on Thursday against the Pirates in Sarasota.

Wieters will catch again and hope that a runner finally attempts to steal against him.

Players view Wieters and Machado as new additions to the club despite coming from within the organization. Wieters was limited to 26 games last season and Machado appeared in 82.

"I think Manny is kind of in a little bit different situation because he played more of the season than Matt did and just the position itself," first baseman Chris Davis said. "Being behind the plate, you affect the game so much with the pitching staff. But the biggest thing for Manny is his defense, his range and that right-handed bat in the lineup. You really missed that last year.

"I think he's looked really good early on. Not just driving the ball. He does those things anyway. But the way he's been running the bases, moving side to side at third. And then obviously Matty coming back is going to be huge for us, just giving us a boost behind the plate. We all think Caleb did a great job filling in, but that's a hard guy to replace."

For the Twins
Jordan Schafer CF
Joe Mauer 1B
Brian Dozier 2B
Torii Hunter RF
Eddie Rosario LF
Kurt Suzuki C
Eduardo Escobar 3B
Josmil Pinto DH
Eduardo Nunez SS

Ervin Santana RHP