Thoughts on the rotation and Rickard

SARASOTA, Fla. - The assumptions that the Orioles' five starters are set beyond determining the order have been shattered after yesterday's game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin.

Manager Buck Showalter delivered the quote heard 'round the rotation when he told the media, "There's some competition here that people haven't grasped."

We get it now.

Orioles starters have allowed first inning runs in 12 of 16 games. Miguel Gonzalez has a minor league option and two poor outings in three games, his current ERA standing at 22.24 in 5 2/3 innings. Chris Tillman gave up two runs and five hits and walked three batters yesterday in only 1 2/3 innings, but this was his first Grapefruit League start and his place in the rotation is secure.

Tyler Wilson appeared certain to begin the season at Triple-A Norfolk after the Orioles signed Yovani Gallardo, but he tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings yesterday in relief of Tillman and has permitted three earned runs in 9 1/3 spring innings.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette has stated that he's still attempting to add players to the roster, that he's not prepared to break camp with the in-house choices. Factor in Wilson's work down here and the rotation definitely is unsettled at the moment.

The chances of Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard breaking camp with the Orioles seem to increase daily with his plus defense in the outfield and much-needed speed that doesn't figure to be wasted.

Felix Pie and David Lough were fast, but they didn't steal bases. Rickard is viewed as someone who could be used as a pinch-runner, and not only because of his time in the 40-yard dash.

"I'm here and I'm enjoying myself," said Rickard, who collected two more hits yesterday and is batting .294/.333/.353 in 14 games. "It's a good clubhouse to be around and so far I'm having a lot of fun."

Rickard, selected from the Rays organization in December, has felt comfortable since the early days in camp.

"I think the veteran core here is pretty comforting with the new guys, the young guys, pretty much everybody," he said. "I'd say all of them lead by example and it's fun to be around."

I wrote a few days ago about Triple-A catcher Francisco Pena being left-handed, but learning at an early age to throw with his right. Rickard is ambidextrous. He throws a baseball with his left - the distinction will become obvious later - but bats from the right.

The Orioles are intrigued with the idea of checking whether Rickard could become a switch-hitter. It's been discussed in camp.

It wouldn't be a new challenge for Rickard.

"I actually have done it," he said. "Coming up out of college, everybody, because I'm as ambidextrous as they come. I haven't really put much thought into it, but people have put that in my mind. I haven't really practiced it, but it's come up a couple times. Some coaches have mentioned it. Nothing enough to go out there and get at-bats or anything like that, but it's come up.

"I haven't done it since maybe freshman or sophomore year in high school, which isn't too late, but that's as far as it went."

Rickard tried it in games, but wasn't happy with the way he felt from the left side.

"It was OK," he said. "I had way less bat speed and power than I do right-handed, but that was then. Who knows?"

What exactly makes Rickard "as ambidextrous as they come?"

"I throw a football right-handed. I just happen to throw a baseball left-handed," he said.

That's one example - and the distinction I mentioned above.

"I can play basketball right-handed. Better dribbler left-handed. I write left-handed. I eat with my left hand. It's a coin flip. It really is."

I wondered why he'd throw a football right-handed. Is it a method to protect his left shoulder?

"I don't know," he said. "I just feel better. I can throw a baseball pretty good right-handed, as well. It really is a coin flip what I do with which hand."

Rickard and Pena have more in common than they realized.

"I actually did not know that, but it doesn't surprise me," Rickard said. "It's a weird sport, so you never know."