Orioles and Phillies lineups (and note on today's meeting)

Orioles and Phillies lineups (and note on today's meeting)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Nate McLouth is leading off and playing center field in Adam Jones' absence, and Brian Roberts is batting second for today's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Conor Jackson is serving as the designated hitter. He's getting extended playing time and manager Buck Showalter has been impressed by him. Nolan Reimold remains out of the lineup while dealing with a sore right shoulder. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth CF Brian Roberts 2B Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C Conor...

Roberts talks about his 3-for-3 day

Roberts talks about his 3-for-3 day
SARASOTA, Fla. - Did Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts have fun today? "Every day's a fun day on the field," Roberts replied with a smile. Roberts is just happy to be playing again, and going 3-for-3 with a home run today simply added to his joy. "It's been too many days in the training room. Baseball's fun when you can get out there and play. It's definitely been good so far." Roberts homered to right field leading off the bottom of the first inning. He singled to left in the...

Hammel: "Nice to be out there with two good knees" (O's win 6-5)

Hammel: "Nice to be out there with two good knees" (O's win 6-5)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Pirates scored a run in the third, fourth and fifth innings off right-hander Mike Wright, reducing the Orioles' lead to 4-3. Matt Wieters delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth, but Gaby Sanchez hit his second home run of the day leading off the top of the sixth, this one off left-hander Mark Hendrickson. Wright is the first pitcher to work three innings for the Orioles this spring. Brian Roberts' home run was his first since April 13, 2011. Tip of the cap...

Hammel goes two, Orioles going deep (updated)

Hammel goes two, Orioles going deep (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jason Hammel's first spring start of 2013 resulted in two scoreless innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hammel gave up one hit, a double to Chase d'Arnaud in the first inning. The ball cleared Adam Jones' head in center field and hopped the fence. He struck out two batters, and his fastball was mostly 91-92 mph. Hammel threw 39 pitches, 27 for strikes. He got ahead 0-2 on five of the seven batters he faced. Brian Roberts led off the bottom of the first inning with a...

Roberts leading off today

Roberts leading off today
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Roberts is leading off for the Orioles today against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium. Nick Markakis is batting second and playing right field. Nolan Reimold is in left field and Nate McLouth is serving as the designated hitter. Manny Machado isn't in the lineup after making yesterday's trip to Fort Myers. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth DH Nolan Reimold LF Wilson...

What's with all the Roberts critics?

What's with all the Roberts critics?
I can understand that some fans are disappointed that Brian Roberts has not been able to contribute much to the Orioles over the last few seasons. I can get that some fans doubt he can return to the form he once showed or even close to it. I can get that some fans don't think he can come back at all. But I don't get some of the almost nasty comments I see from time to time on various message boards. I can assure those fans, a seemingly small but vocal segment, that Roberts didn't get hurt...

Showalter talks about Matusz, Roberts, Robinson and more

Showalter talks about Matusz, Roberts, Robinson and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - Here are some highlights from Orioles manager Buck Showalter's postgame session with the media: On Brian Matusz: "Good. Aggressive, attacked the zone. Got a big double play ball. I thought he threw the ball well. All our guys pitched well." On Zach Clark: "I can see why people like Zach Clark so much. He's got an idea. He's a baseball player who happens to be a pitcher." On Brian Roberts getting two doubles: "He's done that before. He can do that. He's capable of...

Roberts update and comments from Matusz (O's win 5-1)

Roberts update and comments from Matusz (O's win 5-1)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Roberts is 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles today against the New York Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium. Roberts' second double was an opposite-field shot off the fence in left. He scored on Nick Markakis' single to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Roberts was 0-for-2 in Saturday's opener against the Minnesota Twins. Tommy Hunter gave up a single and a bunt hit in the third, but he escaped the jam with a strikeout and ground ball. Hunter...

Reimold batting leadoff (Yankees lineup and notes)

Reimold batting leadoff (Yankees lineup and notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold is starting in left field and batting leadoff today against the New York Yankees. Reimold also played yesterday in Dunedin, going 0-for-3. Brian Roberts moves down to second in the order. Nick Markakis will be the designated hitter again, with Conor Jackson getting the start in right field. Manager Buck Showalter has plenty of outfield candidates, and he's using these early games to critique them. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF Brian Roberts 2B Nick...

Orioles lineup (and Twins)

Orioles lineup (and Twins)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Roberts is starting at second base and leading off today in the Orioles' exhibition opener against the Minnesota Twins. Nate McLouth is batting second, and J.J Hardy has dropped to seventh. Also, Nick Markakis is serving as the designated hitter - no health issues, just his choice - and Chris Dickerson is playing right field. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nate McLouth LF Nick Markakis DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Manny Machado...

Pitching matchups for first two games

Pitching matchups for first two games
SARASOTA, Fla. - Zach Britton, Jake Arrieta, Tommy Hunter, Steve Johnson, Dylan Bundy, T.J. McFarland, Todd Redmond, Zach Clark and Adam Russell will pitch Saturday in the Orioles' exhibition opener against the Minnesota Twins. As you can tell, each pitcher is scheduled to throw one inning. Jair Jurrjens, Troy Patton, Mike Belfiore, Kevin Gausman, Mike Wright, Daniel Schlereth and Eduardo Rodriguez will pitch Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin. Manager Buck Showalter will likely...

Showalter talks about Markakis and intrasquad games

Showalter talks about Markakis and intrasquad games
SARASOTA, Fla. - Nick Markakis is expected back in camp on Friday after flying to Baltimore today for a funeral. As I mentioned earlier, Markakis underwent the same acid reflux test administered to Manny Machado and Zach Braddock. That's why he didn't play today. "He had it this morning, 7 o'clock," said manager Buck Showalter. "He had to have a little anesthesia to do it. That's why he didn't participate today. "What happens is they have this acid reflux and they mention it in the...

Notes and quotes off today's workout

Notes and quotes off today's workout
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he used "every piece of the facility" for today's workout. All of the mounds and cages. All of the equipment. Every field was occupied. "We needed every piece to get done what we needed to do," he said. Showalter watched Jair Jurrjens warm up before the right-hander's first bullpen session with the Orioles. "I just wanted to see him throw," Showalter said. "I saw him from the other dugout, so I've got a little something to...

Showalter on Reimold: "I expect that if he's healthy, he's on our club"

Showalter on Reimold: "I expect that if he's healthy, he's on our club"
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter pulled Nolan Reimold aside yesterday and made sure the outfielder didn't feel as though he had to push himself too hard in an attempt to make the club. Reimold has been participating in all the drills and taking batting practice this spring, eight months after undergoing surgery to remove a herniated disc in his neck and fuse two vertebrae. "I had a little conversation with Nolan yesterday," Showalter said. "I think he needs to know that if...

Roberts feels ready to reclaim second base job

Roberts feels ready to reclaim second base job
SARASOTA, Fla. - At various points during today's workout, Brian Roberts joked with teammates, joked with reporters, looked like a guy who was having more fun than anyone else. He's the longest-tenured Oriole, but he's feeling like a kid again. Roberts, 35, is full-go at spring training, which included today's batting practice session. No concussion symptoms, no pain in his hip, no restrictions following sports hernia surgery in December. "Feels nice to be one of the guys and start off...

A batch of questions as spring training approaches (Nick Johnson note)

A batch of questions as spring training approaches (Nick Johnson note)
Two more weeks and I'll be flying down to Sarasota for the start of spring training. Well, I'll actually be flying into Tampa, because Southwest still hasn't located Sarasota on a map. Keep searching, fellas. The most interesting decisions facing manager Buck Showalter, in my opinion, will center on the fifth starter and the last bullpen spot. We also need to know who's going to be the primary designated hitter if Chris Davis is penciled in as the regular first baseman. Will Showalter...

Roberts understands fans' doubts

Roberts understands fans' doubts
After dealing with concussion symptoms, undergoing surgery in August to repair a torn labrum in his hip and Dec. 20 sports hernia surgery, Brian Roberts is not surprised at all that some fans doubt he can return to play regularly for the Orioles. And he's completely OK with and understanding of that. "I don't hold anything against anyone that doesn't think I can do it anymore. That's fine," Roberts said Saturday at FanFest. "I had people 12 years ago that thought that, so it's not...

Buck on Roberts, working with Duquette and the training camp pitching competition

Buck on Roberts, working with Duquette and the training camp pitching competition
Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked today about Brian Roberts. He has been optimistic when talking about the veteran second baseman and his outlook for the 2013 season. He was asked after today's press conference if Roberts has had a winter free of any health concerns or issues. "That wouldn't be completely honest if I said that," Showalter said without elaborating on exactly what he meant. "He feels really good right now and he's working out. He'll be here in a day or two and you...

Bordick talks about three Orioles infielders

Bordick talks about three Orioles infielders
Former Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick, now a MASN analyst who also works with infielders at the major and minor league levels, offered his opinions on Ryan Flaherty, Brian Roberts and Manny Machado during Saturday's "Hot Stove Baseball" show on WBAL Radio. "I loved Ryan Flaherty," Bordick said. "I think he's so versatile and he played above-average at every position they put him in. Buck (Showalter) wasn't scared to start him in the outfield or start him at second base. He played in...

Which player could emerge as a difference-maker in 2013?

Which player could emerge as a difference-maker in 2013?
Good Hall of Fame debate yesterday. I appreciate all the opinions and the passionate arguments. I'll concede that, for a guy who's often complained about the Hall of Fame being watered down, it was strange for me to choose 10 players on this year's ballot. I can no longer be viewed as part of the solution. OK, on to today's debate. Each winter, I try to predict which Oriole who contributed little or nothing during the previous season will emerge as a difference-maker the following year....