Nuño and Bleier hoping to head north with Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitchers Vidal Nuño and Richard Bleier and outfielder Michael Bourn reported to Orioles camp this morning, the three newest additions to a clubhouse that still has a few empty lockers.

Let's see what today brings besides rain and high winds.

Two of those lockers belonged to left-hander T.J. McFarland and outfielder/first baseman Christian Walker, who have been designated for assignment and could return if they clear waivers.

Nuño has joined his fifth organization since 2013, though he never pitched for the Dodgers. They acquired him from the Mariners in November for catcher Carlos Ruiz and shipped him to the Orioles on Sunday for minor league pitcher Ryan Moseley.

"Every day is something new and every team is trying to build to the top of their bullpen or whatever piece they need," Nuño said this morning. "They needed me, so I'm really thrilled to get the opportunity and I'm going to try to exceed to the fullest."

The idea of planting roots in Baltimore and maybe unpacking his bags hasn't crossed his mind.

"I don't think that daily," he said. "It's a business, so it's a daily routine and whatever comes up, comes up. I'm happy to be in Florida and I'm happy to be with the Baltimore Orioles.

"It's been amazing what they've been doing and what the front office has been doing. I'm excited, I'm thrilled to be a part of the bullpen. I can't way to start my day and everything. They've been contenders and I'm very excited and blessed to have this opportunity."

Manager Buck Showalter said he views Nuño as a starter or reliever. It's more likely that Nuño breaks camp as the third lefty in the bullpen, a long man to complement closer Zach Britton and specialist Donnie Hart. However, he could be a swingman in the mold of right-hander Vance Worley, who signed a minor league deal with the Nationals last month.

"Yeah, that's my repertoire right there," said Nuño, who threw a bullpen session his morning before another storm arrived. "I've been doing the past year and a half in the bullpen role, so wherever they throw at me, I'll try to do my best and get these guys out."

Nuño, who's 5-20 with a 4.02 ERA and 1.260 WHIP in 126 games, including 42 starts, will leave camp on March 5 for the World Baseball Classic. Catch him while you can.

Getting adjusted to the Orioles and his new surroundings before the WBC is "no challenge," Nuño said.

"It's just being around the clubhouse, being around the complex day in, day out, just getting acclimated with the guys and go upon my daily routine," he said.

Bleier arrived here under different circumstances. The Yankees designated the left-hander for assignment last week and the Orioles acquired him yesterday for a player to be named later.

Bleier made his major league debut last year at 29, and he celebrates another birthday in April. He wasn't blindsided by the Yankees decision to designate him, though his production and having two minor league options could have worked to his advantage.

"I think that regardless, someone in my situation, a 29-year-old rookie, whether it's between me and a 24-year-old rookie, I think it just makes more sense to get rid of the older guy, unfortunately," Bleier said.

"I try to be realistic. I didn't think I was going to make it through the offseason. I think that my numbers put me in front of a few other guys and then they just got to me on the list of people where they needed a roster spot for.

"I've never been on a 40-man roster before. I've never been designated before, so I didn't know what to expect, to be honest with you. It's definitely a new experience for me. I'm thankful that there was another team interested in me."

The Orioles faced him three times last season and failed to score a run in his three innings. He posted a 1.96 ERA in 23 relief appearances and didn't allow a run over 9 2/3 innings in September.

"I think the biggest thing for me was that I thought that I could get big league hitters out and actually got to the big leagues and proved to myself that I can do it," he said. "That confidence, knowing that I can compete. Everybody believes in themselves, me as well, but proving to myself that I can do it is the biggest thing for me."

There's more to prove. Bleier held left-handers to a .150 average, with only six hits in 40 at-bats, but right-handers batted .304. Triple-A left-handers hit .222 against him last summer, but right-handers hit .325.

"I think I'd like to get as many people out as I can, lefties or righties, and see where the dust settles," he said.