Notes on game status, Lombardozzi, Gonzalez, Almanzar, more (more quotes)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will attempt to start today's game at 2 p.m., a delay of one hour caused by heavy rain that continues to fall. Manager Buck Showalter needs to provide innings for his scheduled pitchers. Losing a fourth game this spring due to weather would be a major disruption. Steve Lombardozzi arrived at the Ed Smith Stadium complex after today's trade with the Tigers. "I like him. Always have," Showalter said. "I'm excited about it. Dan (Duquette) and I have talked about it the last day or so. "Hope the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. His dad was a good player." Showalter said Alex Gonzalez would have made the club in a utility role if he hadn't been dealt to the Tigers. "I'm excited for Alex," Showalter said. "I talked to him in here and asked him why he came here, why he picked here. And then I asked if he had a choice of going to play shortstop every day or staying here, because he would have made our club as a utility guy. I wanted him to know that. If he had a choice between staying here and being utility until Manny (Machado) gets here or going to play there every day. He had a great answer. He goes, 'What team is it?' Detroit was a great fit for him. I'm excited for him. He's a big league shortstop. "Nothing was beneath him here and he wanted to be a part of this, but he also allowed us to bring in a 25-year-old switch-hitting versatile player. We hope options aren't an issue, as far as never wanting to use them. We'll see." Showalter said Lombardozzi is a candidate to play second or third base. Rule 5 pick Michael Almanzar will undergo an MRI on his left knee this afternoon after injuring it while playing first base Saturday in Port Charlotte. Almanzar could be placed on the disabled list, which would allow the Orioles to remove him from the 25-man roster without exposing him to waivers and offering him back to the Red Sox. However, Showalter said Almanzar would have to be dealing with a legitimate injury. "We'd like to figure out a way to keep him," Showalter said. Johan Santana threw off a half-mound again today, and Showalter is extremely encouraged by his progress. Dylan Bundy threw off a flat-mound, and Showalter joked that the right-hander was throwing 100 mph. Bundy has one more flat-mound session before moving to a half-mound. Major cuts aren't likely to come before Wednesday's split-squad games in Fort Myers and Port Charlotte. Showalter said minor league right-handers Juan Morillo and Williams Louico were clocked at 100 mph yesterday at Twin Lakes Park. Earl Weaver's widow, Marianna, is supposed to throw out the first pitch. Showalter is taking her on a tour of the complex. He just showed her the half field behind the media room that's named "Earl Weaver Little Field."