Updating Wada

Orioles manager Buck Showalter laid out Tsuyoshi Wada's pitching schedule during his pregame session with the media. Wada will start an extended spring training game Monday against the Twins in Fort Myers and another extended spring game April 14 against the Rays in Port Charlotte. Assuming that Wada's health is good, he'll join one of the affiliates and make a rehab start April 19. Wada is eligible to come off the disabled list Thursday, but it's going to be later. The Orioles want Wada to throw 90 pitches in each of his last two starts. He threw 35-40 pitches today in a bullpen session in Sarasota. Showalter indicated that Wada could be a starter or reliever once he's activated. It depends on how Wada's pitching and how the rotation is holding up. Twins pitcher Liam Hendriks was scratched from Sunday's start against the Orioles because he's hospitalized with food poisoning. Anthony Swarzak, also a right-hander, will take his place. Wonder why Nick Johnson is in the lineup tonight against a left-hander? He's a career .289/.422/.435 hitter against southpaws, compared to .263/.394/.446 against right-handers. Showalter wants to get everyone in the lineup during this homestand, which partly explains why Ronny Paulino is serving as the designated hitter tonight. Showalter also wants another right-handed bat in the lineup against Francisco Liriano. As for running the risk of losing his DH if Matt Wieters is hurt, Showalter pointed out that he has a third catcher on the roster. He won't reveal the name, but Ryan Flaherty is the popular guess among reporters. Endy Chavez will start Sunday or Monday.