Updating Roberts and the WBC

Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts said he shut down for a few weeks over the holidays because he had "some minor stuff going on" related to his surgically repaired hip, but he's resumed his daily workouts and isn't experiencing any health issues. Roberts appeared in 17 games last season before undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip. "I had been pushing pretty hard for a while after my surgery and had some minor stuff going on, so we shut down for a few weeks over the holidays," Roberts said. "I'm back to doing everything and feeling good." Manager Buck Showalter told reporters earlier today that he continues to have "a good feeling" about Roberts and warned against underestimating the veteran, who will appear at Saturday's FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center. As for the World Baseball Classic, reliever Luis Ayala is listed on Mexico's provisional roster. Ayala, 35, was 5-5 with a 2.64 ERA in 66 games in his first season with the Orioles. Miguel Gonzalez also is listed on the roster, but he told reporters earlier today that he would decline the invitation. I mentioned in my last entry that Double-A infielder Jonathan Schoop is listed on the Netherlands roster. Also, pitcher Rafael Moreno, who was part of the Orioles' Dominican Summer League team, is listed on Brazil's roster. Pitcher Jonatan Nethen, also from the DSL team, is listed on the Netherland's roster. Outfielder Tim Smith, recently signed to a minor league contract after spending last summer in the Atlanta Braves organization, is listed on Canada's roster. So is former Orioles first-round draft pick Adam Loewen. Adam Jones (USA), Pedro Strop (Dominican Republic), Chris Robinson (Canada) and Allan de San Miguel (Australia) will leave camp for the WBC.