Talking about Worley, Wright, Gausman, Schoop, Hardy, Walker, Beato and Britton

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have split-squad games today against two familiar spring opponents, playing the Red Sox at 1:05 p.m. in Fort Myers and the Twins at 7:05 p.m. in Sarasota.

Vance Worley and Mike Wright are starting for the Orioles. Worley is out of minor league options and especially needs results each time he toes the rubber.

Worley tossed two scoreless innings on March 4 against the Blue Jays and March 13 against the Twins. He allowed three runs and five hits in two innings against the Phillies.

Another road game awaits Worley. He still hasn't pitched in the home whites.

Wright finally gets a home game after starts on the road against the Braves, Red Sox and Yankees. His numbers have gotten steadily worse, though he's felt good in each outing.

Wright tossed two scoreless innings in the exhibition opener in Lake Buena Vista. He allowed two runs and four hits in two innings in Fort Myers and five runs and five hits in 2 2/3 innings in Tampa.

It's important to note that Wright struck out six Yankees in his last appearance. It doesn't happen in fewer than three full innings unless the guy's got good stuff. We talked about it in the press box, so it must be true.

I passed along Kevin Gausman's numbers yesterday - three runs and four hits in four innings versus the Pirates - but he also played a part in catcher Caleb Joseph throwing out Josh Harrison on a stolen base attempt to end the second.

"You see Kevin where he's quick to the plate now," said manager Buck Showalter. "He was 1.18 to the plate on the throw out. Those are the little things you see guys starting to really become part of their presentation as opposed to one time it's 1.6, one time you've got to tell him to be quicker. He does it all the time now."

Jonathan Schoop hit a three-run homer that tied the game. He's quietly having a superb spring, batting .406/.424/.656 with two doubles, two home runs and eight RBIs in 32 at-bats.

"Jon's had a pretty solid spring with the bat," Showalter said. "We all know what a healthy Jon and J.J. ..."

Oh yes, J.J. Hardy. His left shoulder is good and he's raking this spring, going 8-for-21 with a double and triple and producing a .381/.435/.524 slash line in eight games. I'll mention again that the wind robbed him of a home run.

I was going to ask Showalter about Hardy again yesterday, anticipating that he'd rap his fist on the plastic table to simulate knocking on wood. He beat me to the punch.

"I'm really happy with the way J.J.'s moving around," he said, knocking on plastic. "You can tell he feels good."

Christian Walker must feel great. He leads the Orioles with three doubles, three home runs and 11 RBIs in 27 at-bats, and they're considering him for left field.

"Walker continues to drive runs in," Showalter said. "He's got a knack. Always has."

Pedro Beato picked up his second save yesterday by recording the last four outs. He gave up some loud outs along the way, but they still count.

Beato hasn't allowed a run in six innings. He's a closer candidate at Triple-A Norfolk, along with Oliver Drake.

"I'll tell you, he's been solid, Showalter said. "He's a professional pitcher. I've said it before. I'd be surprised if he didn't impact our team sometime this year. A guy that's kind of come back all the way from the arm issues he had. I like him.

"I like having him around. He's just what Griff (Mike Griffin) and R.J. (Ron Johnson) and Brian Graham said he would be."

Zach Britton will be closing again for the Orioles. He threw two scoreless innings yesterday in a Single-A game at the minor league complex.

"He got four outs in one inning and both hits were swinging toppers we've all come to see," Showalter said. "Dom (Chiti) was over there with him and said it went real well.

"The thing about Zach and Darren (O'Day) and those guys is, you send them over there and they treat it like it should be treated. They're in there getting work. They're not just going through the motions."