Notes on Joseph, McFarland, Tillman and more

SARASOTA, Fla. - Caleb Joseph is back in the clubhouse this morning after experiencing flu-like symptoms that swept through his spring training home.

Joseph wasn't on yesterday's trip to Tampa due to his illness.

"They wanted me to come in today because I'm feeling more normal," he said. "Yesterday, I probably could have come in, but still kind of speculating in terms of contagiousness. It was a bad case. Me, my wife, my son and my mother-in-law all got it within hours. That entire house was basically quarantined. It was bad, but we're all past it now, so that's good."

Matt Wieters is behind the plate for this afternoon's game against the Twins in Sarasota. Joseph isn't certain of his availability, but said he probably could play.

"I could. I think so," he said. "I'm not sure whether or not that's going to happen. I just got here. I'm going to check in with Richie (Bancells) and Buck (Showalter) and see what's going on.

"Apparently, it's more of a bug, and this bug is going around. There's been quite a few people that have contacted me saying they've got it. It's flu-like, but it's more like 24-hour bug. It's bad."

Meanwhile, T.J. McFarland said "everything's good" regarding his left elbow. He played catch yesterday at 120 feet.

"No problems there," he said.

McFarland hasn't pitched since leaving a March 6 game against the Red Sox with discomfort in his elbow. X-rays came back clean.

"We'll continue to stay on it, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I think I'm pretty much in the clear," he said.

McFarland has made only two appearances this spring and doesn't know when the Orioles will put him back on the mound.

"We haven't really talked about that yet," he said. "I think it's all going to go on how I feel and how the days are going to be shaping up in terms of where the innings are to be had. We'll see. I'm sure we'll talk about it soon."

Chris Tillman said his hip feels good following his two-inning stint in Thursday's B game. His next turn falls on Tuesday, but the Orioles are in Dunedin to play the Blue Jays. No word on whether he'll make the trip.

Jeff Beliveau is throwing live batting practice again today. The Orioles remain encouraged by his recovery from April labrum surgery and the prospects of him contributing later in the season.

The Orioles have summoned Cuban left-hander Ariel Miranda from minor league camp for today's game, along with Richard Rodriguez and lefty Nick Additon.

The Twins were supposed to start Phil Hughes today, but they've switched to Trevor May.

For the Twins
Byron Buxton CF
Eduardo Nunez 2B
Carlos Quentin 1B
Byung Ho Park DH
Oswaldo Arcia LF
Kurt Suzuki C
Ryan Sweeney RF
Wilfredo Tovar SS
Buck Britton 3B

Trevor May RHP