More Orioles notes and quotes from today's minicamp

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter spoke briefly today with the players attending minicamp before turning it over to pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti.

"I talked to them for about five minutes before Wally and Dom did their thing, congratulated them on being invited and appreciate them coming," Showalter said this afternoon while sitting in his office at the Ed Smith Stadium complex.

"They didn't have to come. This is completely voluntary, but the reputation of the camp has gotten around and people like coming. It's very low-key, but it immeasurably helps us get on with business when we start in February as opposed to wasting three or four days or a week trying to figure out where we are.

"We had like three guys that were here last year that weren't really on the map that pitched in the big league last year. There will be some of those guys here that you'll get to know after this camp that'll show up in the big leagues next year."

Showalter still doesn't know whether first baseman Chris Davis will show up in spring training. He's still on the market and the Orioles still are holding firm to their seven-year, $150 million offer.

Showalter indicated that he hasn't talked to Davis.

"I'm not allowed to," he said, adding that he isn't surprised Davis remains unsigned.

"That's not surprising at all the way that camp does business. It wouldn't surprise me if it went to February. It wouldn't surprise me if it goes to March."

Jeff Beliveau has recovered from labrum surgery and threw today off a mound.

"It's good to see Beliveau. We'll call him Beli," Showalter said. "It's about where he is in his program to throw. It was real light.

"We're kind of checking on (catcher) Chris O'Brien's shoulder. I'm waiting to see what Richie (Bancells) has to say about that."

Dylan Bundy and Jason Garcia won't throw off a mound while they're here. Bundy will continue to do some long-tossing before progressing to a mound, perhaps as early as next week.

"It's where he is in the program," Showalter said. "He's going very maturely and smart, where he may not have been as much in the past. I'm impressed with how he's handling where the finish line is.

"It's kind of like some of the challenges with (Hunter) Harvey because Hunter's already thrown four times off the mound, his father told us."

A decision is pending on left-hander Tanner Scott, who pitched in the Arizona Fall League.

"I don't know if he'll throw. I haven't gotten that far," Showalter said.

"I know most of the guys that threw a lot during the season, they're not. It's more about familiarizing themselves if they have a chance to impact us this year."

Players aren't going to make the 25-man roster based on their appearance at minicamp.

"They know," Showalter said. "This is Wally's thing. We've done it for a while. It's a great exercise that our ownership allows us to do that a lot of folks don't. When's the last time we got surprised by something in February or March? We get ahead of things. We're able to check on Bundy. I'm looking forward to sitting down with Richie and everybody to see where we're at with everybody."

Assistant hitting coach Mark Quinn is in camp getting acclimated with his new surroundings. He was hired last week despite not coaching in an organization. The former Royals outfielder has been running a highly regarded baseball academy in Houston.

"I think he's at an advantage that a lot of guys don't have," Showalter said. "This guy's been teaching hitting since forever in all age groups. He's coached big league guys, minor league guys, high school guys, even Little League guys. He knows the difference between all of them.

"This guy was Sporting News Rookie of the Year. He's been on all sides of the mound. There's not much a guy can bring up that he hasn't experienced. He's going to be a nice resource for Scott (Coolbaugh). We're very lucky to have both of them. I'm going to be surprised that he doesn't become a real asset for us. And he brings up that real freshness, doing it for the first time.

"I think it's an advantage, his resume, the more you look at it. The guy has done nothing but teach all different type of people and hitters. I kind of like the fact that it hasn't been just strictly professional. He'll have a pretty good door opener with the players, not many people have been able to have done what he's done."

Showalter informed Single-A catcher Jonah Heim that he will be invited to spring training. Heim was shut down for three months with a foot injury.

"That was fun telling Heim," Showalter said.

Showalter said outfielder Henry Urrutia will get plenty of at-bats in spring training.