Some quick nuggets from Buck Showalter’s press briefing before the 1:10 start.

Brian Matusz (intercostal strain) made his first outing this morning at extended spring training in Sarasota. He pitched two innings, faced six batters and threw 24 pitches. He will have another outing there on three days’ rest on May 11.

Matusz is expected to pitch four innings for an affiliate on May 16, and five innings for an affiliate on May 21. He should be stretched to about six innings by May 26, when he could pitch another rehab game or, possibly, join the Orioles for that one.

J.J. Hardy (oblique strain) played his first rehab game for Triple-A Norfolk on Friday and is expected to play again today. He went 1-for-2 with two walks, a run scored and a good play in the field.

Alfredo Simon was in the clubhouse today and will throw a bullpen here on Sunday. He said he was “a little sore” after his five-inning rehab outing at Bowie on Thursday, but otherwise felt great. Simon, who spent two months in prison as a suspect in a fatal shooting in the Dominican Republic, will pitch again for Bowie on May 11. He likely will have to be recalled, be placed on waivers or released by roughly May 22.

Simon was greeted warmly by his teammates, receiving hugs from Jeremy Guthrie and Robert Andino among others.