Showalter on Machado, minicamp and more

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Ed Smith Stadium complex looks deserted now, with Orioles players and coaches heading to the airport after the three-day minicamp.

Third baseman Manny Machado sat at his locker as manager Buck Showalter concluded his final media session. Machado is returning to Miami to continue his workouts

"Manny looked good today," Showalter said. "Glad he came over. Didn't have to. Appreciated him making the trek.

"Richie (Bancells) followed him around. He looked good. He's got the governors off.

"What's gone on with him, we're ahead of where we were last year with the other (knee). But we'll see what the competition and different speed level brings. There's just something about game speed that's different. Grass, dirt, somebody wearing a different uniform. We can't get to that level until we get there.

"Obviously, with us playing into October last year, we're going to have a little different approach to some things, but we'll be able to get plenty of evaluation with people we need to evaluate, especially early in camp."

Machado expressed confidence that he'll be full-go for the start of spring training. Showalter won't rush him.

"He and I, we talked a little bit," Showalter said. "We know where the finish line is here. It's not Feb. 20. It's April-something in Tampa. That's where the finish line is. Just try to stay away from setbacks. I don't see any reason, talking to everybody ... we're where we need to be. I'd have signed up for it in blood when we initially did the surgery that we'd be sitting here now."

What about the importance of Machado having a normal spring training, which has eluded him?

"It's not like it has to happen," Showalter said. "What's normal? What's normal is to start the season. And if it's three days after or Matt (Wieters) is three days after it starts, it'll be a forgotten tidbit in August that they started three days later. If Chris (Davis) had his suspension the first month of April, it would be a non-issue as we sit here today.

"Keep in mind the bar has been set pretty high by guys like Adam (Jones) and Matt and J.J. (Hardy) and Chris, for that matter. Do I expect him to play 162 games this year? No. I think he would love to get a full season under his belt. The game and the baseball gods may not allow it. I don't know.

"This isn't easy to do to your body. You're going to have problems. I hope that we get over the hurdle of it being knee-related."

Showalter said the greatest benefit of this week's minicamp was becoming more familiar with the pitchers.

"You evaluate them walking by in front of the office. You eyeball a lot of guys," Showalter said. "I wanted to get to know the Rule 5 guys, get a head start on that because we have to make a good decision on that. I spent half an hour in here with Logan Verrett. See how they are physically."

Showalter added that he let outfielder Henry Urrutia know "he's on the radar" and the club appreciates how hard he's worked during the offseason.

Showalter organized a conference call yesterday with various members of the organization to review the 40-man roster and discuss non-roster invitees, making sure "everyone's on the same page."

"I want the players to know when they get here that there's been a lot of time and thought put into knowing them and knowing what they're going to bring when they get here," Showalter said. "Get through the period of adjustment so when we get here, we can start doing the things it takes to get better. That's what this is all about.

"The last two or three years, it's been big for our success, being able to get a head start. This is all voluntary, not only by the players, but ownership's been very supportive of it.

"It's a feather in your hat to be invited. We've got some guys who didn't need to be here yet. Put some eyes on some faces that we didn't know. Anytime I can put these guys in front of Dave (Wallace) and Dom (Chiti), let them eyeball them."

The California portion of the minicamp will include catcher Chance Sisco and pitcher Zach Davies, late additions to the group. Wallace and Chiti flew to Los Angeles this afternoon.

The Orioles will decide by the end of the month whether to offer left-hander Mark Hendrickson a minor league contract with or without a spring training invite, or pass on him.

Showalter is pleased with the weight gains and losses of players that needed to make the adjustments.

Brian Gonzalez, the Orioles' third-round pick in 2014, has lost 18 pounds since last year. Hunter Harvey, the first-round pick in 2013, has gained 12. Pitcher Stephen Tarpley lost 25 pounds, reliever Ryan Webb lost 18, catcher Jonah Heim gained 13, catcher Michael Ohlman gained 15 and Urrutia gained 10.

Former Dodgers pitcher Ramon Martinez, Pedro's older brother, visited Wallace today.

The Orioles announced that vouchers for autograph sessions at FanFest will go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. The list of autograph session times and participants will be posted online for preview at www.orioles.com/fanfest by 9 p.m. on Friday.

FanFest will be held on Saturday, Jan. 31 from 11 a.m-6 p.m. at the Baltimore Convention Center, with early entry for Orioles Season Plan Members to begin at 10 a.m.

Here's more from the press release:

At this year's FanFest, the Orioles will continue an autograph policy designed to support youth charitable endeavors through OriolesREACH and enhance fan engagement with shorter wait times. Children ages 4-14 will have a specially designated Kids Only player autograph station that is free of charge and will operate continuously throughout the day. All other autograph stations at FanFest will require the advance purchase of autograph vouchers exclusively at www.orioles.com/fanfest for $20 each, with all of the proceeds to benefit children's charities through OriolesREACH. Since instituting the autograph policy in 2011, FanFest has raised over $430,000 for the Orioles Charitable Foundation.

There will be 250 vouchers available for each autograph session, guaranteeing that every fan purchasing a voucher for a particular session will receive an autograph from each of the players at the station. Fans will be able to print their vouchers at home and must present them to the attendant at the appropriate autograph session, shortening the amount of wait time in autograph lines. Fans must be in line for their autograph session no later than 30 minutes after the session begins.

If vouchers are still available on the day of the event, they will be available for purchase at the Oriole Park Box Office or at the Ticket Sales location at FanFest. Autograph seekers are encouraged to purchase vouchers in advance. There is a purchase limit of two autograph vouchers per person, per session time. Fans redeeming autograph vouchers must be four years of age or older and may only redeem one voucher per person, per session time.

The complimentary Kids Only area at FanFest will operate throughout the day in a free-flowing system. Players signing in this area will not be announced in advance. Youth ages 4-14 may go through this line as many times as they would like as players rotate through the station.

Season Plan Members can enter FanFest beginning at 10:00 a.m., and the first 250 in attendance will receive a voucher to participate in a complimentary autograph session beginning at 10 a.m.

The Orioles will make every effort to keep to this autograph schedule, but reserve the right to change or substitute individuals as necessary. To purchase autograph vouchers or to obtain updated information about the event, fans should visit www.orioles.com/fanfest.