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...

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...

We found out yesterday that Robert Andino is regarded as the backup second baseman two weeks into camp. So who's the leadoff hitter if Brian Roberts doesn't play? I asked manager Dave Trembley, who didn't really have an answer for me. "I don't know yet," Trembley said. "I guess I'll try to take care of that when we start playing games on the days that Brian doesn't play. Obviously, there will be a different leadoff guy and that will be the time that I use to experiment with it and...

Biggest...reach...ever. We've been so preoccupied with every ground ball hit to Miguel Tejada at third base, we've practically overlooked Garrett Atkins at first. Atkins isn't a stranger to the position, but this is the first spring training where he's been anointed the starter on the right side. "I've just been taking ground balls and making some throws and getting used to my feet turning that way and making that throw to second," he said. "We've done some bunt plays, and it's a...

Unless he fell asleep on the couch last night and hurt his back, Brad Bergesen will throw from the mound today in a much-anticipated bullpen session. Bergesen says he'll probably be held to 25-30 pitches, and most likely will stay exclusively with his fastball. Maybe he'll be allowed to mix in a few changeups, but no breaking stuff. Update: I just returned from the gym and a light rain is falling. Combined with the chilly temperatures, I'd say it's far from an ideal day to be throwing...

The rain continues to fall and players won't take the field today, so the schedule has been turned upside down. We're told that batters will hit in the indoor cage and pitchers will throw on the indoor mound. It's also Photo Day here and the clubhouse is closed to the media this morning while players break out their cheesiest grins. I haven't been approached by the club about offering tips. Update: Bergesen is stretching and will go through with his side session on one of the covered...

Brad Bergesen just completed his bullpen session and headed back to the clubhouse, which will open to the media in about 30 minutes. Reporters were instructed to stand outside the indoor pitching and batting cages while Bergensen threw. I learned two things: Players are amused by our obsession with Bergesen, and my hooded sweatshirt holds about five gallons of water. The rain is coming down in buckets. Chad Moeller yelled, "Ladies and gentleman, Brad Bergesen," as the right-hander...

Brad Bergesen was pleased with his first mound session and is confident that he'll be fine physically when he wakes up tomorrow morning. Bergesen threw about 30 pitches, most of them fastballs. He worked in a couple of changeups at the end. "I'm really relieved," he said. "I've been looking forward to getting back out there for a long time. Really, the last time I was on a mound, other than the commercial, but actually competing for something, was that last game (on July 30), so it's...

Brad Bergesen is scheduled to throw in the bullpen again on Monday and Wednesday before facing hitters in batting practice. He'll throw on flat ground every day, working in his breaking stuff starting tomorrow. Manager Dave Trembley chatted with reporters until catcher Matt Wieters went into his crouch and Bergesen was ready. He moved to the far side of the cage and never took his eyes off the young right-hander. It's apparent that Trembley liked what he saw. "It sure made a gray day...

Other pitchers threw on the covered mounds today. Brad Bergesen wasn't the only one. It just seems that way, since a small media contingent braved a torrential downpour to watch him throw and immediately retreated to the trailer as soon as he finished. Brian Matusz threw with the first group, two spots ahead of Bergesen, and was a couple of notches above outstanding. At least that's how he looked when streams of water weren't running into my eyes. Matt Wieters caught Matusz for the first...