SARASOTA, Fla. - The second day of minicamp held more importance for Branden Kline than perhaps anyone else in attendance.
Kline, 25, threw off a bullpen mound this morning, another important step in his recovery from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in October 2015. Dr. James Andrews handled the procedure in Florida.
Jason Garcia joined Kline for the first round. Others followed while manager Buck Showalter, bench coach John Russell, pitching coach Roger McDowell and bullpen coach Alan Mills watched from the side. A few instructors, athletic trainers Richie Bancells and Brian Ebel and pitcher Chris Tillman also were present.
Kline, a Frederick native and Thomas Johnson High School grad, hasn't pitched in a minor league game since May 20, 2015 due to elbow discomfort. He received a platelet-rich-plasma injection and made two appearances in the fall instructional league before the Orioles shut him down again.
A second-round pick out of the University of Virginia, Kline was 3-3 with a 3.66 ERA in eight starts for Double-A Bowie and has gone 12-13 with a 4.30 ERA in 45 starts over parts of four seasons.
Pitchers are taking advantage of the minicamp to meet McDowell, who was hired to replace Dave Wallace.
"Roger McDowell working with Alan Mills, it's going to be a really good season," said Mychal Givens. "He's really down to earth and a great guy to talk to. His baseball knowledge is really good. I feel like going into 2017, working with our pitching staff is going to be really awesome."
Mills served as Givens' pitching coach at Double-A Bowie. Mike Wright didn't get to work with him, but they've talked in previous years at spring training.
"We've had tons of really good conversations and I'm very excited to work with him," Wright said. "I know all the guys who have worked with him love him. Both of these guys have tons of experience in the big leagues, so they obviously know something about how to stick and stay and be consistent. I'm excited."
The Orioles' list of minor league signings includes Bobby Bundy, who's staying in the organization.
Bundy, a former eighth-round pick and the older brother of Dylan Bundy, was 3-1 with a 3.42 ERA in 37 games at Bowie.
Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman looks on at the second day of minicamp.
Mike Wright throws a bullpen session at the Ed Smith Stadium complex.
Logan Verrett follows through on a pitch during his bullpen session.