Miguel Tejada stood at his locker earlier today and made references to mistakes from his past that he hopes have been put behind him. Though he never got specific, he alluded to his name appearing in the Mitchell Report, an age discrepancy, and how he received a year's probation after pleading guilty to lying to congressional investigators about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. Tejada unloaded more than his bags when he arrived here. "Everybody knows that I've been...

If you're driving down Tuttle Avenue and pass the back fields, you might want to watch for flying baseballs. Guys were taking turns launching them over the right field fence and onto the street during batting practice. Nick Markakis and Luke Scott didn't cause any pileups, but I kept bracing for the impact. Miguel Tejada hit one ball that slammed off the batter's eye beyond the 400-foot sign in center field. I'm pretty sure another ball landed on one of the back fields at Fort Lauderdale...

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...

I've fielded so many questions about clubhouse chemistry and how it compares to recent springs, I contemplated putting together another "Because You Asked." Instead, I asked manager Dave Trembley for his opinion on the subject. "I think one of the key things we've always done here is try to make people feel comfortable," he said. "I think we have winning-type people and I think we have winning-type players. People know their place, they know their expectations and they know how to go...

Miguel Tejada already is taking ground balls at third base about 30 minutes before players are required to be outside. Juan Samuel is hitting him grounders, much sharper than yesterday's three-hoppers, and Tejada is making the throws to second. Yesterday, players stationed at third base just flipped the ball into foul territory. Chris Tillman is still scheduled to throw in the bullpen today. His back didn't stiffen up during the night. Brad Bergesen will throw off flat ground again...

Chris Tillman just completed his bullpen session, which lasted about 12 minutes and included a brief interruption and consultation from pitching coach Rick Kranitz. Tillman was throwing free and easy, and his velocity looked good. He also mixed in his changeup. Afterward, he said that he didn't feel his back at all. The other pitchers who threw alongside Tillman on the extended mound moved to the next field for live batting practice, beginning with closer Mike Gonzalez. Meanwhile, Miguel...

Chris Tillman said he threw "everything" today except his back (OK, that's my line) and was "shocked" at how good he felt on the mound. "It took a lot to hold back. I wanted to go 100 percent, but at the same time I had to hold myself back," he said. "Everything felt good. Obviously, it felt like I hadn't played catch in three days, but other than that, everything felt good and looked good. Kranny said my delivery looked nice and smooth." Tillman will rest tomorrow and throw a...

I mentioned earlier today that Nick Markakis was bunting inside one of the netted batting cages set up between practice fields. His teammates are doing the exact same thing, because the drill has been implemented as one of the new stations in camp. "That's one of the rotations," manager Dave Trembley said. "There's five rotations out here, and either you get it first or you get it through the five.

Brad Bergesen hopes to throw once more on flat ground before taking the mound on Saturday, but manager Dave Trembley might push back that first bullpen session until Monday. Trembley is toying with the idea of having Bergesen throw on flat ground tomorrow and Saturday. "He's wrestling with me on that one," Trembley said. "He really has done remarkably well. He's going to be fine. We have lots of time to get him right back in where he should be and to get his pitches up." Jeremy Guthrie...

I sort of tiptoed into an interview with outfielder Lou Montanez this morning, and not because he's unapproachable or my shoes didn't fit properly. I was trying to gauge whether Montanez viewed the roster the same way as everyone else. He's an outfielder on a team that includes Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, Nolan Reimold, Felix Pie and Luke Scott. He still has a minor league option remaining. For his eye exam, the Orioles could have made him read the writing on the wall. "I know there's...