Quick hits from workout
Quick hits from workout
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - I'll plug in more quotes later, but here are some short items from today's workout: Brian Roberts said his neck feels better every day. He also said he could play if it were the regular season. "It's definitely better than it was a couple days ago," he said. Asked if he might work out tomorrow, Roberts said, "I don't try to guess about tomorrow. To tell you the truth, it probably hasn't really been my call. It's a group effort." Derrek Lee will see how his thumb...
Machado on Baseball America's ranking and his goals for this year
Machado on Baseball America's ranking and his goals for this year
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When I talked to Orioles 2010 first-round draft pick Manny Machado this week, I asked him his reaction to being named baseball's 14th best prospect by Baseball America. "It's an honor to be ranked that high, but I really don't look into the rankings. If I'm No. 1 or No. 100, I just want to give 110 percent and be the best at what I do," Machado said. The 18-year-old shortstop from Miami is about to begin his first full season with the Orioles after playing nine games late last...
Roberts sits for third straight day (updated)
Roberts sits for third straight day (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Roberts didn't take the field for the pre-workout stretch and catch, and he was absent during infield drills. Roberts continues to receive treatment on his neck. He told reporters yesterday that he hoped to get back on the field today or tomorrow. Looks like today is out. Cesar Izturis and Brendan Harris took grounders at second. Izturis looks every bit as smooth there as he did at short. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said no further tests on...
Riske getting down to business
Riske getting down to business
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - One of Alfredo Simon's representatives sent out a text last night alerting reporters that there could be a positive development today in the reliever's case. Simon remains jailed in the Dominican Republic, and he was denied bail again yesterday. It's the never-ending story. Justin Duchscherer noted yesterday that his curveball was much better during his live BP session. One reason: Duchscherer is breaking in a new glove and he's had some trouble gripping the ball. Things...
Machado is ready for his anticipated first full season in O's organization
Machado is ready for his anticipated first full season in O's organization
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After a winter of workouts where he put on a few pounds to get stronger, shortstop Manny Machado describes himself as "super excited" for his first full season with the Orioles. Machado, the third pick in round one of last June's draft, spent time working out this winter near his Miami home where his workout partners sometimes included the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez. "This whole winter I've been here in Miami working out at the University of Miami with my trainer, Monica Swasey," Machado...
Lee hitting outdoors today
Lee hitting outdoors today
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Derrek Lee will take batting practice off one of the coaches later this morning, after the Orioles hold another series of meetings that caused the clubhouse to close to the media 30 minutes earlier than usual. Lee has been hitting soft tosses in the indoor cage. He's also stepped to the plate during live batting practice with instructions to not swing the bat. You can tell it's been tough for him. He wants to take some hacks, but he's being cautious after having surgery in...
More on Frank Robinson's speech
More on Frank Robinson's speech
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - According to this report, Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon remains in police custody in the Dominican Republic after he was again denied bail today. Frank Robinson stood underneath his No. 20 that's mounted on Hall of Fame row in the clubhouse and addressed the team before today's workout. "He obviously can command a room," manager Buck Showalter said. "He's been in front of players for quite a while. You can tell he has a real affinity for the Orioles." "The guy's...
A few quick hits
A few quick hits
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Before I dash across the street to pick up lunch, I wanted to pass along a few short items. Manager Buck Showalter described second baseman Brian Roberts as being 50 percent improved. Showalter seems fairly confident that Roberts will be back on the field tomorrow morning. "You could tell he felt a lot better today," Showalter said. Roberts wasn't going to play in Monday's exhibition opener in Bradenton. The original plan called for him to start Tuesday's game in...
A few observations from camp
A few observations from camp
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - With Brian Roberts unable to work out again today, Cesar Izturis and Brendan Harris took ground balls at second base. J.J. Hardy and Nick Green took turns at shortstop. Derrek Lee and Jake Fox played first base. Mark Reynolds stood alone at third. Robert Andino worked out at shortstop on another field. Reynolds had one bad sequence where he mishandled a chopper and bounced a throw after fielding the next ball cleanly. Otherwise, he was fine. Reynolds and Fox had a mild...
Delaware North Sportservice names chefs for Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Delaware North Sportservice names chefs for Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
Delaware North Companies Sportservice and the Baltimore Orioles today announced that Joshua Distenfeld will serve as the executive chef for Oriole Park at Camden Yards and Baltimore native David Friendlich will serve as sous chef. Distenfeld is an American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certified Executive Chef with 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including managing large-scale culinary operations. Most notably, he has served as executive chef at Harrah's Las Vegas Hotel and...