Showalter on rumors, his roster and the Rule 5 draft

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter fulfilled his obligation today of meeting with the media inside the press room at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

Taking to his new setting, he decided to assist us by addressing whichever rumors were tossed his way.

Showalter said he hasn't heard Chris Carter's name mentioned once this week inside executive vice president Dan Duquette's suite. Same with Seth Smith and Brett Gardner.

However, Showalter confirmed the club's interest in catchers Welington Castillo and Nick Hundley, and outfielders Michael Saunders and Michael Bourn. Those names have been discussed.

The Orioles are doing their homework on Saunders regarding his health and whether he'd pass their physical.

I'll pass along quotes later today. In the meantime, here are some bullet items:

* Showalter said the Orioles will take one or two players in the Rule 5 draft and probably will make a selection or two in the minor league phase. He'd like the major league players to be plus defenders. He said the list has been whittled down to 12 players.

* Showalter said Duquette's comment about the Orioles not wanting outfielder Jose Bautista because he's a villain in Baltimore was "tongue in cheek."

* The Orioles continue to draw interest on their starters and Showalter said he could entertain using all six of them. "We're not going to give them away."

* Showalter said he's not going to monitor Dylan Bundy's innings any more than he would Kevin Gausman or any other starter.

* Adam Jones isn't moving out of center field and Chris Davis isn't leaving first base.

* Showalter still prefers to move Jones out of the leadoff role.

* Showalter hasn't closed the door on the Orioles re-signing Matt Wieters, Mark Trumbo or Pedro Alvarez. He won't turn his back on them.

* The preference is to have a designated hitter who can play other positions.

* Mike Wright will continue to work as a starter rather than move into a relief role.

* Showalter wants to give Hyun Soo Kim more at-bats against left-handers. He'd also like to use his bench more this season and rest certain veterans.