Quick hits from the first workout

SARASOTA, Fla. - No major news came out of today's first workout for pitchers and catchers - and all the position players who reported early. The only position players still marked absent are Travis Ishikawa and Yamaico Navarro. We haven't seen Wilson Betemit, but he reported. We heard Adam Jones in the outdoor batting cage as reporters walked past it. He wanted to get our attention in the usual humorous manner. Nolan Reimold took batting practice in the same group as Manny Machado, Ryan Flaherty and Lew Ford. You'd never know that he had surgery on his neck last year. Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland made quite an impression on manager Buck Showalter today. He's a guy "who caught my eye," Showalter said. McFarland will likely make at least one start this spring, but he's also a bullpen candidate. Minor league catcher Jose Gil obtained his work visa and will report to camp within the next few days. Tsuyoshi Wada, recovering from Tommy John surgery on his left elbow, participated in pitchers fielding practice this morning. He won't throw his first bullpen session for three or four weeks. Showalter had his back turned to the Camden Yards field, heard the crack of the bat and knew Matt Wieters was in the cage. He was right. Adam Russell, an imposing figure on the mound, used a sidearm delivery for most of his bullpen session before throwing over the top toward the end. Outfielder Xavier Avery's arms look bigger. The guy has spent some time in the weight room. Danny Valencia, who has been linked to the Biogenesis clinic: "I've never, ever taken a PED in my life. I've never failed a drug test and I never will." More on Valencia in my next blog entry. Pitcher Todd Redmond is wearing No. 78.