Orioles Name Juan Samuel Interim Manager

Orioles Name Juan Samuel Interim Manager
The Orioles today announced that third base coach Juan Samuel has been named as the club's interim manager, replacing Dave Trembley. Samuel will be introduced as interim manager in a press conference today at 2:30 p.m. in the Auxiliary Clubhouse at Camden Yards. Samuel, 49, is in his fourth season as third base coach on the Orioles' coaching staff and 27th year in professional baseball. Prior to joining the Orioles, Samuel spent the 2006 season as manager at Double-A Binghamton in the New...

Koji confirmed

Koji confirmed
The first day of workouts went smoothly. No visa issues, no injuries. Brad Bergesen is the only pitcher who's restricted. Alfredo Simon is full-go, as I wrote earlier today, less than a year after having ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. Manager Dave Trembley confirmed what we already suspected: Koji Uehara will work in a relief role this season. "I talked to Koji today before we came out so that if you all asked him questions, he could not evade the answers. And I wanted...

Talking Trembley

Talking Trembley
On the first workout at the new complex: "It was fun to be out here today, a lot of fun. Everybody was anxious to get out. We had a very good, productive today." On Alfredo Simon not being under any restrictions: "He was a guy that when I came here at the beginning of the week I asked (head athletic trainer) Richie Bancells about, and he said (Simon) was a full-go. I saw him in instructional league at the end of September last year and I was told that in all likelihood he would be a full-go...

More stuff from today's workout

More stuff from today's workout
Outfielder Jeff Salazar also has reported to camp early. Felix Pie crushed a ball during batting practice that slammed off the indoor batting cage beyond the right field fence. He also was ripping line drives all over the place. Adam Jones provided non-stop chatter during the session, which also included Blake Davis and Justin Turner. Manager Dave Trembley and minor league instructor Mike Bordick stood behind the cage. I must be losing my mind. I forgot that Davis bats from the left side....

Millwood and Markakis

Millwood and Markakis
Kevin Millwood was the first Oriole on the field for the 9:15 a.m. pre-workout stretch, putting him at least 10 minutes ahead of everyone else. He's routinely the first player to arrive at each station. It hasn't gone unnoticed. "That's what a No. 1 guy does," manager Dave Trembley said. "Plus, he pitches his (butt) off every fifth day. He shows these guys what you're supposed to do. "I said, 'How are you doing?' And he said, 'I'm having a blast.' He's going to help us." None...

Health updates

Health updates
Pitcher Chris Tillman expects to throw his next bullpen session tomorrow and said he came off the field this morning "as a precaution" after experiencing some back spasms. "I could have participated 100 percent today," he said. Tillman said he fell asleep on a couch yesterday, which might have caused the tightness in his back. He's experienced spasms in the past. Tillman didn't fall behind the other pitchers, since this wasn't his day to throw. Brad Bergesen made 35 throws off flat...

Worth noting

Worth noting
Brian Roberts is in town, though I haven't seen him. His agent, Mark Pieper, visited camp today. Scott Moore will take ground balls at third base and first base in the early days of camp. Manager Dave Trembley said he'll decide later whether Moore shifts to other positions. Robert Andino and Justin Turner will play third, second and shortstop. Andino also will take fly balls in the outfield. Trembley noted that Brad Bergesen is "probably very close" to getting on the mound. "He's...

The situation in BP

The situation in BP
Players taking their first round of batting practice are instructed to concentrate on situational hitting, a routine that began on the first day here. "I think that needs to be a point of emphasis because it will help us win more games. Then we let guys swing after that," manager Dave Trembley said. "Before they can get to the round where they swing, they have to get two bunts down, execute the hit-and-run, get the guy over, get the guy in and get the squeeze down before they can go to...

Providing a little color

Providing a little color
And I don't mean the redness on my wind-burned face. Koji Uehara threw live batting practice earlier today. All fastballs. He did some running afterward with his trainer. John Shelby is leading the bunting drills inside one of the netted batting cages. At one point, Shelby instructed Robert Andino to keep his balance and yelled encouragement. Andino figures to be one of the players who will be called upon to advance a runner. Three of the fields were set up for live BP. Manager Dave...

Bergy's schedule and the backup second baseman

Bergy's schedule and the backup second baseman
Brad Bergesen will have another flat-ground session on Saturday and is slated to take the mound on Monday for his first bullpen session. Manager Dave Trembley indicated that Robert Andino would back up at second base if the Orioles needed an extended fill-in at the position. Andino also would back up at shortstop. Ty Wigginton is viewed as the backup at third base and first base, and could move to left field. The middle infield spots belong to Andino. In case anyone thought Trembley might...

More notes from today's workout

More notes from today's workout
The Orioles haven't set a firm date for second baseman Brian Roberts to take live batting practice. He's hoping to step into the cage next week. Roberts continues to hit off a tee and soft toss. Chris Tillman still is slated to throw live batting practice tomorrow. The cold air didn't do his back any favors today, but he keeps insisting that he's fine and the mild tightness is nothing to worry about. Manager Dave Trembley was impressed with the finish on Koji Uehara's pitches today and...

Up and running again

Up and running again
Maybe that last virus scan worked. I'm actually writing this blog entry from my laptop, which apparently has forgiven me for all the nasty things I said about it. It's still a little weird between us. And we said it wouldn't get weird. Chris Tillman, Jim Johnson and Jake Arrieta are slated to pitch one inning in Monday's intrasquad game. Fourteen pitchers will be used - seven on each side - and manager Dave Trembley will reveal his list tomorrow. Tillman was encouraged by the way he...

More notes from today's workout

More notes from today's workout
Manager Dave Trembley said he'll move around some players in Monday's intrasquad game. Robert Andino, for instance, is expected to shift over to second base. The regulars will play three innings and get an at-bat before substitutions are made. The game is open to the public for a small donation to the Sarasota Boys and Girls Club. It also will give us a chance to check out Ed Smith Stadium, since all of the workouts take place on the back fields. Here's a Trembley quote about Brian...

Teixeira update (and game update)

Teixeira update (and game update)
Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is day-to-day with a bruised right elbow. A Yankees spokesman said X-rays weren't taken on Teixeira's arm, which surprises me. I figured it was automatically done. Orioles team orthopedist Dr. Tim Johnson and a Yankees physician examined Teixeira. Meanwhile, Jeremy Guthrie struck out the side in the fifth. He's allowed five runs (four earned) and three hits, walked four, struck out seven and hit two batters. He's thrown 93 pitches, 53 for strikes, by...

Post-game Trembley

Post-game Trembley
Opening statement: "We pitched good enough to win. I'm glad we got Matusz stretched out. We got those other guys in." On Brian Matusz: "He wasn't as crisp, he wasn't as sharp, but he knows how to pitch. He knows how to pitch without his best stuff. That was obvious today. And he was good. He was good." On Will Ohman: "It seems like every situation I've brought him in has been to match up and he's gotten the job done. That's what you want. You want a guy who doesn't take long to...

Luke out below

Luke out below
I also considered, "You can Luke, but you better not touch." The Orioles have added a B-squad game to their exhibition schedule at 10 a.m. Sunday in Bradenton. They also play the Phillies at 1:05 p.m. in Sarasota. No further details are available at the moment, but it's one way to get more innings and at-bats for certain players. And speaking of at-bats, Luke Scott doesn't want to collect them as the designated hitter. He's made that point pretty clear. He wants to play in the field...

Yankees lineup

Yankees lineup
Brett Gardner CF Nick Johnson DH Jorge Posada C Robinson Cano 2B Curtis Granderson LF Randy Winn RF Juan Miranda 1B Brandon Laird 3B Ramiro Pena SS Javier Vazquez RHP The Phillies will use the following pitchers for tomorrow's game against the Orioles in Sarasota: Kyle Kendrick Andrew Carpenter Sergio Escalona

Orioles lineup

Orioles lineup
Cesar Izturis SS Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Garrett Atkins 1B Nolan Reimold LF Josh Bell DH Chad Moeller C Robert Andino 2B Brian Matusz LHP Also scheduled to pitch: Will Ohman, Wilfrido Perez, Jim Johnson, Koji Uehara and Kam Mickolio.

Pre-game Trembley

Pre-game Trembley
Mike Gonzalez is scheduled to throw one inning against the Phillies on Friday. Felix Pie threw and hit again today and will play in one of the intrasquad games on Saturday. "He probably could play on Friday, but because it's a night game, I'll hold him back and play him on Saturday," manager Dave Trembley said. "I'm encouraged by both Gonzalez and Pie." Trembley won't make more roster cuts before the split-squad games. Trembley said Chris Tillman, David Hernandez and Jason Berken...

Talking about the rotation

Talking about the rotation
We tried to get manager Dave Trembley to reveal his rotation this morning, but he wouldn't bite. He's not ready to confirm whether Kevin Millwood is the Opening Day starter, though you can bet on it, or where the pitchers will be slotted. Trembley didn't look up Millwood's spring stats from past years. He'll take the right-hander's word that the numbers are poor. So what does Trembley look for during Millwood's starts? "Finish on his pitches and location," he said. "Life on his...