Showalter talks about Duchscherer

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

March 13, 2011, 8:24am

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SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is waiting to hear back from his athletic training staff after Justin Duchscherer declined to pitch in the simulated game on the Camden Yards field. Duchscherer alerted the club that he felt some discomfort while throwing off flat ground. "He just came out here and wasn't able to pitch," Showalter said. "I don't really know where we're at. Richie (Bancells) just said he felt some discomfort and wants to get it looked at. Doesn't feel good about where it's at." Duchscherer was shut down briefly in the early days of camp because of some stiffness in the hip. He progressed to the point where he pitched two innings against the Phillies in Clearwater on Tuesday. Asked if he feels confident that Duchscherer can hit the 20-27 inning mark before opening day, Showalter replied, "That's going to be tough. That's going to be tough. We'll see what tomorrow brings." Also, Brian Roberts is still scheduled to undergo an MRI on his back tomorrow. He appeared more upbeat today, according to Showalter. "Some of the discomfort he had from the trigger points seems to be going away, so that'll put anybody in a little bit of a better mood," Showalter said.