Wade Miley says he's ready for next start

SARASOTA, Fla. - Wade Miley isn't certain about the date of his next start. He only knows that he's healthy enough to take the ball when it's given to him.

Miley was scratched from Monday's game against the Red Sox in Fort Myers because of flu-like symptoms that he says have lingered for about a week.

Manager Buck Showalter noted that Miley also was under the weather on March 14 while allowing three runs and seven hits in three innings against the Rays. Miley seemed fine on Monday morning, but began to feel sick again and returned to Sarasota.

Vidal Nuño got the start in Miley's place and allowed three runs and four hits in 1 2/3 innings in a 7-4 loss.

"I feel great," Miley said this afternoon. "I started to feel a lot better yesterday. I've got a little cough going, but everything else, I feel back to kind of normal."

Miley thought he could pitch through his illness on March 14, but didn't get the desired results.

"That morning I didn't feel the best," he said. "It's kind of up and down. It's weird. I feel good one day and then the next day I feel crappy and then it kind of set in. But I took a couple days and relaxed, stayed in bed, and I feel a lot better."

Asked what's next for him, Miley said, "I guess normal. I don't know."

He'd gladly take normal after being sick and also having to leave a start against the Pirates in the second inning after a line drive hit him in the forearm and ribcage area. In four starts this spring, he's allowed seven earned runs (eight total) and 16 hits in nine innings.

"I didn't miss that much time," he said. "I played catch a couple times in between. But I have no idea. I didn't talk to anybody."

Third baseman Manny Machado and catcher Welington Castillo walked into the Orioles clubhouse shortly before it opened to the media at noon. They're back from the World Baseball Classic, with second baseman Jonathan Schoop expected to join them. He's probably here and just hasn't been spotted.

The players are putting on their annual talent show. Caleb Joseph's impressions usually bring down the house.

For the Rays
Corey Dickerson LF
Kevin Kiermaier CF
Evan Longoria 3B
Brad Miller 2B
Colby Rasmus DH
Logan Morrison 1B
Tim Beckham RF
Luke Maile C
Daniel Robertson SS

Chris Archer RHP