Morning notes on Webb, Johnson and Cabrera

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles reliever Ryan Webb continues to receive treatment on his left knee and said he's hopeful that the swelling will be gone within the next few days.

It may not be realistic to expect Webb to pitch this weekend, considering that he hasn't thrown a ball since Sunday's workout.

Steve Johnson retired the side in order yesterday after a rough debut against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, when he allowed a tie-breaking run to score in a 5-4 loss.

Johnson surrendered a hit and an unearned run, issued a walk and committed a throwing error in his only inning against Toronto. Left fielder Jimmy Paredes pulled up on a sinking liner, and Johnson's error came after the ball got stuck in his glove.

No wonder he was much happier about yesterday's outing, but it went beyond the box score. Johnson's fastball was 90-91 mph and his right shoulder felt great following surgery to shave a bone spur, remove the debris and open up the capsule to improve rotation and flexibility.

"It's just nice to be able to throw free and easy and have the velocity there," Johnson said. "Last year, I really struggled with throwing as hard as I could and it was 83-84, so it was just nice to be able to be pain-free and be able to work out and worry about getting the hitters out instead of staying on the field."

Results don't always matter in exhibition games, but Johnson needed some positive reinforcement yesterday. It was a nice reward for the hard work he's put into getting back on the mound.

"I felt like last outing I came back strong from the disaster of the first three hitters," said Johnson, who has four strikeouts in two innings. "It was nice to have a clean outing. It was nice to just be able to throw strikes and feel good and have all of that working together. It's been a while since I had an inning like that, let alone the velocity and all that stuff. It's definitely just nice to build on that."

Everth Cabrera is batting eighth today against the Blue Jays. He's hit leadoff and ninth in past games.

Cabrera is 1-for-9 with three walks and four strikeouts since signing with the Orioles.

"I like it here," Cabrera said. "It's a simple thing. A lot of guys want to play the game, a lot of guys are hungry. Not too many big names here and that's great. A lot of good players, a lot of talent.

"It's like 10 at-bats. You don't show much in 10 at-bats, but I think I'll be all right. We've got, what, 20-something games left? So, we'll see. Everything is good so far."

Mostly a shortstop in the majors, Cabrera is making another start at second base today.

"I was playing second base before, but the last four years in the big leagues I've never played second base, so it's kind of a new position," he said. "I think I'm going to get it quick. I'm going to keep working on my double plays and stuff."

Turning the double play at second base is the biggest adjustment for Cabrera.

"You go side to side," he said. "You catch the ball and you don't know where the runner's going to come. All those things."

Cabrera hadn't played in the American League until signing his one-year, $2.4 million deal with the Orioles.

"I hear the American League East is the best in the business, it's the best division in the business, but I'm going to play my game, you know?" Cabrera said. "I'm going to put the ball in play, I'm going to be simple at the plate, I'm going to play hard and I'm going to compete."

For the Blue Jays
Jose Reyes SS
Ramon Santiago 2B
Jose Bautista RF
Justin Smoak 1B
Kevin Pillar CF
Chris Dickerson DH
Dwight Smith LF
Josh Thole C
Munenori Kawasaki 3B

Drew Hutchison RHP