SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have been scouting Los Angels Dodgers pitchers Aaron Harang, Ted Lilly and Chris Capuano, figuring that at least one of them will become available in a trade.
The Dodgers' rotation is overflowing and the Orioles haven't closed the door on acquiring another veteran starter, though there's no shortage of arms in their camp.
Harang, 34, went 10-10 with a 3.61 ERA in 31 starts last season. He's due to make $7 million this season, and his contract includes a $7 million mutual option in 2014 with a $2 million buyout. The Orioles may not want to commit that much to Harang, which would necessitate the Dodgers absorbing part of that deal.
Lilly, 37, went 5-1 with a 3.14 ERA in eight games last season, and 12-14 with a 3.97 ERA in 33 games in 2011. He has experience in the American League East, but he posted a 4.52 ERA in 89 starts with the Toronto Blue Jays and a 4.65 ERA in 49 games (32 starts) with the New York Yankees.
Lilly will make $12 million this season, and his contract includes full no-trade protection, according to baseball-reference.com. Lilly can become a free agent following the season.
Capuano, 34, went 12-12 with a 3.72 ERA in 33 starts last season. He will make $6 million this year, and his contract includes a $6 million mutual option and $1 million buyout in 2014.
Money could be an issue with all three pitchers, but the Orioles are taking a look at them this spring.
Going back to manager Buck Showalter's pregame session with the media today, a reporter asked whether Nolan Reimold would be included on the opening day roster if he couldn't play in the field because of shoulder soreness.
"You're getting way ahead of yourself, but it's a good question," Showalter replied.
"We're approaching it that we want him to be able to play left field to be active when the season starts. Nolan's a good outfielder and we want to get him back to bringing that skill to us. So if he says, 'I can DH and it doesn't bother me at all,' which is the case now, 'but I can't throw or play defense,' would we take him? Probably not."
Reimold's status affects other roster decisions.
"A lot of the roster spots being open is going to have to do with Nolan's health," Showalter said. "If Nolan is healthy and ready to go, you have a different dynamic, where you look at the roster differently. You've got some people who can play multiple places, but infield/outfield guys, a guy like (Ryan) Flaherty, all these guys have major league time at first base and third base."
Reimold is out of minor league options. He's either on the 25-man roster or the disabled list on opening day. The Orioles and Reimold remain confident that he will be introduced on April 2.
Meanwhile, Tsuyoshi Wada will throw on Friday and Saturday, according to rehab coordinator Chris Correnti. This may be the first time he's gone back-to-back. Will have to check.
Manny Machado could have scheduled his root canal at a later date, "but they'd rather get it done here, as opposed to during the season and maybe missing a game," Showalter said.
Update: Reimold just hit his second spring home run, the other coming on Friday when he left the game with shoulder soreness.
The Blue Jays took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first before Reimold cleared the fence in left field leading off the bottom half. Jason Hammel struck out two batters, but Maicer Izturis doubled and Melky Cabrera singled to briefly put Toronto in front.
Hammel threw 23 pitches, 15 for strikes. He will return for the top of the second, while the media is interviewing Cal Ripken Jr., who threw out the ceremonial first pitch to J.J. Hardy.
Ripken is here to sign copies of his new children's book, "Wild Pitch."
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