Montanez and Pie

Lou Montanez apparently has completed his stay in the Puerto Rican Winter League after 28 games. Montanez batted .324 with 10 doubles, one triple, three homers and 13 RBIs for Criollos de Caguas. His last at-bats came on Dec. 29. "I think he played to the extent that he wanted to play. He did what he was supposed to do," president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said. "Now he's going to work out and get ready for spring training." Montanez's spot on the 40-man roster appears to be safe, at least for now. He has minor league options remaining and could begin the season at Triple-A Norfolk if he can't bust through a crowded outfield in Baltimore. "If we have too many good guys, we'll figure it out," MacPhail said. "I'm not worried about it." Meanwhile, Felix Pie was supposed to play winter ball this month, but that plan was scraped because his quadriceps injury was slow to heal. The Orioles will bring him back to the U.S. so he can work out at Athletes' Performance Institute or a similar facility. "We'll bring him in weeks before spring training and make sure everything is 100 percent, which we think it is, but just keep an eye on him," MacPhail said. "We like Felix a lot."



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