Showalter on Paredes, Norris and more

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles need to get out of Florida before they run out of players. Or at least break camp before they start breaking bones.

Jimmy Paredes hasn't played since Tuesday and now we know the reason. He strained a muscle in his lower back a few days ago while lifting weights and he's likely headed to the disabled list.

Paredes squatted to pick up a weight, straightened and injured his back. He received treatment again today.

"It's legit," said manager Buck Showalter. "He was doing something that he's done last year and this year and just probably had some awkward. ... I don't know exactly how it happened. He was being monitored, he had somebody with him like you're supposed to.

"Every time something like that happens, take into consideration how many people stay healthy because of what they do in there, too.

"He had a chance to make our club initially. He still might. Maybe he feels a lot better tomorrow and it's all different."

Asked whether the injury opens a spot for outfielder Nolan Reimold, Showalter replied, "Not necessarily. It depends whether we carry 13 pitchers or not."

Showalter confirmed that Bud Norris will start the April 10 home opener against the Blue Jays, giving us four-fifths of the rotation. Chris Tillman, Wei-Yin Chen and Miguel Gonzalez will start against the Rays at Tropicana Field.

Showalter based part of his decision on match-ups. Norris is 4-0 with a 2.36 ERA in six starts against the Blue Jays.

Norris is 0-3 with a 9.26 ERA in four Grapefruit League starts, with 12 earned runs (13 total) and 16 hits in 11 2/3 innings. He's walked nine and struck out nine.

Norris' last appearance came in a minor league game against the Red Sox, when he allowed two runs and six hits in five innings, with one walk and two strikeouts.

"He's healthy, his arm strength's there," Showalter said. "Sometimes the guys that have the worst statistical spring end up having the best season. There's no blueprint for it.

"You tell them to come down and get their work in and be healthy, and then they do that and then you base the whole thing on did they get some Triple-A hitter out in the fourth inning or something. To be continued, to be determined.

"I never heard somebody after a bad season reach back and talk about the spring he had and I never heard someone who had a great season. I've got a lot of confidence that the guy who pitched for us last year is going to be there this year."

Showalter said Ubaldo Jimenez could be a starter or reliever.

"He obviously has more experience as a starter," Showalter said.

To clarify Ryan Webb's situation, the Orioles still have to pay him the $2.7 million that he's owed this season if he declines an outright assignment and becomes a free agent. It's based on the reliever having five-plus years service time in the majors.

Webb still hadn't been outrighted as Showalter met with reporters this afternoon.

What doesn't change is Webb's current status on the team. There's just no room for him in the bullpen.

Showalter threw a little love at MASN while talking about replays and deciding whether to challenge calls.

"The problem is our MASN stuff was better than the stuff that they get," Showalter said. "They aren't privy to what MASN has. That's why there were a couple things last year that I thought they should have overturned by our MASN cameras, but the ones they had at MLB weren't quite as good. MASN's angles and feeds are better."

For the Braves
Eric Young Jr. CF
Jace Peterson 2B
Freddie Freeman DH
Kelly Johnson 3B
Chris Johnson 1B
Jonny Gomes LF
Christian Bethancourt C
Andrelton Simmons SS
Todd Cunningham RF

Shelby Miller RHP