I listened closely today and I can honestly tell you that I didn't hear Radhames Liz's scapula make a clicking sound during his two innings. Not once.

I stood behind the fence next to the home dugout while Liz pitched. His fastball is loud when it slams into the catcher's mitt, but that's about it.

Kevin Millar shagged fly balls in left field during today's workout on the back fields.

I know most of you don't want Millar anywhere near left, but keep in mind that Aubrey Huff is projected as the regular there and he's made only eight career starts at that position. Why are so many people OK with that?

Huff and Jay Gibbons also have shagged flies in left this spring. Gibbons will start at first base in tomorrow's exhibition opener against the Florida Marlins in Jupiter, Fla.

Adam Stern remains shut down with a strained right oblique muscle. He's day-to-day, just like the rest of us.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (24)
                    

Somebody won 4-2. I'm just not sure which team.

We'll say Team 1, which got a bases-empty home run from first baseman Mike Cervenak off left-hander Kurt Birkins.

Radhames Liz turned in two scoreless innings, freezing Brandon Sing on a slider to end the sixth after allowing a single to Jason Dubois and walking Val Majewski. He also shattered Roger Cedeno's bat on a grounder.

Dubois had two hits and an RBI.

Ryan Hubele, starting at third base, had a double off Jon Leicester. Rule 5 pick Adam Donachie showed off a strong arm by almost picking off Jon Knott at first base. I think the umpire blew the call. And I already told you about J.R. House's two-run double.

Earl Weaver visited camp today.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 12:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (26)
                    

Jim Johnson struggled in the first inning, allowing two runs and three hits before getting an out.

Johnson was the Orioles' minor league Pitcher of the Year in 2005. I know he's had plenty of good outings. I'd  just like to see one of them.

Maybe I need to start hanging out at Bowie.

Ruddy Yan led off with a bunt single, Eider Torres singled to center and both runners moved up on a wild pitch. J.R. House ripped a two-run double down the left-field line. Johnson got the next two outs, and left fielder Jason Dubois gunned down House at the plate.

Garrett Olson gave up a run in the bottom of the first and had the bases loaded with two outs when Team 2's at-bat ended because the left-handed reached his pitch count.

He must be loving life in the majors. You only need two outs and you can strand three runners.

Olson was extremely wild in the first. He allowed two hits, walked a batter and hit Val Majewski. At one point, Bruce Kison went to the mound to talk to him.

Freddie Bynum led off with a sharp single to center and stole second. Terry Tiffee's one-out single made the score 2-1.

Johnson breezed through the second, as did Olson, who struck out Jeff Fiorentino and Roger Cedeno. Luis Montanez made a nice running catch in foul territory in right field.

Speaking of Montanez, he approached me in the clubhouse for the first time this spring, asked if I was Roch, and said, "I'm a big fan of your blog. I read it all the time."

He was serious. I was stunned.

Montanez said he began reading it after signing with the Orioles, but hasn't posted a comment. I encouraged him to do so, figuring we all could get a dialogue going.

When I told Montanez that I'd have to write nice things about him now, he smiled and said, "Don't worry about that. Be objective."

He instantly became one of my favorite players ever.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 11:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (20)
                    

Where else except spring training can a man sun himself in the bleachers while watching Ruddy Yan play center field?

It's a beautiful thing.

Team 1:

Ruddy Yan - CF

Eider Torres - 2B

J.R. House - C

Jon Knott - LF

Cory Keylor - DH

Mike Cervenak - 1B

Ryan Hubele - 3B

Luis Hernandez - SS

Luis Montanez - RF

Garrett Olson - P

Team 2:

Freddie Bynum - 2B

Brandon Fahey - SS

Terry Tiffee - 3B

Jason Dubois - LF

Val Majewski - RF

Brandon Sing - 1B

Jeff Fiorentino - CF

Eli Whiteside - C

Roger Cedeno - DH

Jim Johnson - P

Tiffee was hitting soft tosses in the outdoor cage before 8 a.m.

The exhibition opener is tomorrow in Jupiter. Miguel Tejada, Aubrey Huff and Ramon Hernandez won't make the trip, but Melvin Mora, Brian Roberts, Kevin Millar, Jay Gibbons, Nick Markakis and Corey Patterson will be there.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
                    

The intrasquad game ended in a 2-2 tie after six innings.

Brandon Fahey singled twice and reached on an error. Val Majewski had two hits. Sendy Rleal mowed down the three batters he faced in rapid succession. Jon Knott had a double, two outfield assists and was robbed of another hit when second baseman Freddie Bynum made a nice backhanded stop of a sharp grounder up the middle and off-balance throw to first.

Bynum turned in an exceptional game defensively.

John Parrish threw a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Parrish hasn't pitched in a major league game since undergoing Tommy John surgery on his left elbow on July 15, 2005. He had scar tissue removed from the elbow last April, and a bone spur in May. Before yesterday he had only thrown one inning in a September instructional league game.

"He was more under control than in the past," manager Sam Perlozzo said.

Garrett Olson and Jim Johnson are the scheduled starters for tomorrow's intrasquad game. Olson will be followed by Radhames Liz and Chris "Don't Call Me Charlie" Waters.

Johnson will be followed by Jon Leicester, Kurt Birkins and possibly James Hoey.

My favorite player nickname, which another writer dropped on me today: Adam "Sweet 'N" Loewen.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (21)
                    

While the game drags on and the heat index rises - whatever that is - the frontline players continue to work out on the back fields.

Team 1 scored twice in the third off Victor Moreno. Brandon Fahey reached on an error, moved to second on a wild pitch and took third on Terry Tiffee's single. Val Majewski singled to score Fahey, but Jon Knott had his second outfield assist, gunning down Tiffee at third. Brandon Sing's RBI single made it 2-0.

Steve Green allowed two runs in the fourth. J.R. House doubled to left and scored when Cory Keylor's long fly ball to center bounced off Jeff Fiorentino's glove for a three-base error. Mike Cervenak's RBI grounder tied the game.

House fell on his back while catching a pop up at first base. He made an easy play look tough, but at least he held onto the ball.

Knott is forcing the Orioles to notice him today.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 11:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)
                    

Luis Montanez replaced Adam Stern in Team 2's lineup.

Starters Rob Bell and Francis Beltran each threw two scoreless innings, though Bell was easily the more effective pitcher. Beltran allowed three hits and went deep into counts.

Brandon Fahey began the game with a single off Beltran. No. 2 hitter Freddie Bynum squared to bunt on the next pitch. Somewhere, The Ghost of Earl cringed.

First baseman J.R. House made a nice backhanded stop of Bynum's grounder to get the force at second. Terry Tiffee walked, but Val Majewski shattered his bat on a double-play grounder.

Beltran walked Brandon Sing to open the second inning. Jeff Fiorentino struck out, Roger Cedeno singled and Jason Dubois lined to short. With two outs, Adam Donachie singled to left, but Jon Knott threw out Sing at the plate.

Knott lined a double down the left-field line in the bottom half of the second, but Bell retired the next three hitters.

Early candidate for game MVP: Knott.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
                    

Adam Stern might be a late scratch from today's intrasquad game because of a strained oblique muscle. One of the coaches told Brandon Fahey to be prepared to switch teams.

"It just tightened up," Stern said, adding that the injury isn't serious. "You start swinging and all of a sudden it gets jacked up a little bit."

Hayden Penn said his ankle feels "three times better" than it did yesterday.

Penn suffered a mild sprain when he rolled it on the bottom step at the team hotel. I reminded him that the Sheraton has elevators. But Penn was going from the second floor to the first.

Me? I'm taking the elevator.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)
                    

I even provide them for intrasquad games.

Team 1:

Brandon Fahey - SS

Freddie Bynum - 2B

Terry Tiffee - 3B

Val Majewski - RF

Brandon Sing - 1B

Jeff Fiorentino - CF

Roger Cedeno - LF

Jason Dubois - DH

Adam Donachie - C

Rob Bell - P

Team 2:

Adam Stern - CF

Luis Hernandez - SS

J.R. House - 1B

Jon Knott - LF

Cory Keylor - RF

Mike Cerveniak - 3B

Ryan Hubele - C

Ruddy Yan - DH

Eider Torres - 2B

Francis Beltran - P

I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but I certainly should know that the scapula is the shoulder blade, since I googled it and checked with a member of the training staff. And yet...

Anyway, my bad.

I can't respond to reader comments at the moment - another glitch in the system, if you can believe it - so I'll ignore the "man boobs" remark, other than to say they don't qualify. Do some bench presses, fellas, and you'll understand.

Did I really write "man boobs" in this blog?

Didn't see that coming.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
                    

I already gave you the starters (Steve Trachsel and Erik Bedard) for the first two exhibition games. Daniel Cabrera goes in the third game, Jaret Wright the fourth and Adam Loewen the fifth.

Manager Sam Perlozzo indicated today that Brian Roberts, Melvin Mora, Nick Markakis, Miguel Tejada, Aubrey Huff and Ramon Hernandez are likely to be the first six hitters in his lineup on a regular basis. Jay Gibbons, Kevin Millar and Corey Patterson/Jay Payton would make up the lower third of the order.

The Orioles were wearing their home whites today because it was Photo Day. No orange jerseys and gray pants. 

The Orioles definitely want to groom James Hoey to be a set-up man for Chris Ray, with the ability to close on occasion when Ray needs a rest. Hoey's education probably will resume at Triple-A Norfolk.

Just a random thought: If Tuffy Rhodes and Terry Tiffee had a son, would he be Tuffy Tiffee?

Since a few of you asked, here's the tattoo, which satisfied my daughter's sudden desire to have her name permanently etched into my arm:

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 2:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (29)
                    

The X-rays on Hayden Penn's left ankle came back negative, but the Orioles sent him out for an MRI as a precaution.

The club is hoping that Penn suffered only a mild sprain, which would make him day-to-day.

A positive sign came when Penn returned to the clubhouse earlier today without his crutches, which were given to him only if he needed them.

Manager Sam Perlozzo believes Penn twisted his ankle yesterday while carrying boxes up some steps. The injury definitely didn't happen during the workout, but the club has accepted Penn's explanation.

"The good news is he's able to put his full body weight on it," vice president Jim Duquette said.

Meanwhile, Steve Trachsel will start Thursday's exhibition opener against the Florida Marlins in Jupiter. Penn was supposed to back up Erik Bedard in Friday's home opener, also against the Marlins, but his availability is uncertain.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 1:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
                    

I don't mean Peter Schmuck hijacking a dessert cart.

Hayden Penn walked out of the clubhouse this morning for the annual photo shoot favoring his left ankle and carrying crutches.

The good news: He was carrying the crutches, not using them to get around.

Penn explained that he rolled his left ankle after yesterday's workout. He'll leave the complex later today for X-rays, but he said it's nothing serious.

If it's sprained and he can't pitch for a while, that's serious enough for a young guy trying to make the club.

I'm just wondering how you twist your ankle AFTER a workout.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (14)
                    

So how much snow fell in the Baltimores area today?

The back of my neck is sunburned. It really is. And my tattoo is begining to scab. So life's tough all over.

The highlight of today's batting practice session: Miguel Tejada launching a ball to left-center field that hit the middle of the scoreboard.

I think he got all of that one.

Kevin Millar entertained some of his teammates on the bench after completing an infield drill, pointing out, with some hilarious comparisons to other clubs, that the Orioles are the hardest-working team in baseball. They sure looked like it today.

During one drill, pitchers were supposed to charge the ball and flip it to home plate. One pitcher overran it - the ball, not the plate.

"First thing you have to do is keep your head on the ball," manager Sam Perlozzo said. "Home plate's not going to move on you."

Try telling that to Daniel Cabrera.

Reliever Scott Williamson added a new twist to his winter workout routine.

"I did a lot of martial arts and stuff like that to get my fast-twitch muscles to fire back, to regain what I lost," he said. "I put my body through a lot of stretching, trying to prevent another injury."

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 9:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
                    

Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo won't be breaking out the big guns for Tuesday's scrimmage.

The listed pitchers for Team 1 are Victor Moreno, Freddy Deza, John Parrish, Garrett Olson, Radhames Liz and Chris Waters.

Team 2's pitchers are Rob Bell, Steve Green, Sendy Rleal, Michael Doyne, Jim Johnson, Jon Leicester, Jim Hoey and Kurt Birkins.

Olson and Liz are top pitching prospects, so all eyes will be on them. Johnson was the organization's minor league Pitcher of the Year in 2005, but he's at least a notch below Olson and Liz.

Hoey will attempt to make the jump from Tuesday's scrimmage to the Hall of Fame in one year.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 2:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
                    

Jim Palmer is in camp. No, he's not trying to make a comeback.

Jamie Walker has been cleared to do everything except run. I noticed that he flinched while walking toward the first base line after stretching, and a Ramon Hernandez throw from the plate to first whizzed past him. It wasn't that close, but it got Walker's attention.

Today's drills on the back fields involved delayed double steals, and how to prevent the runner on third from scoring as the initial throw goes to second - either from the pitcher or catcher.

"Concentrate on good throws, gentlemen," manager Sam Perlozzo shouted.

This is a much more serious, business-like Perlozzo than last year. The difference is quite noticeable, to players and the media.

He's still friendly, but there haven't been as many relaxed, humorous exchanges. I don't know if he's feeling the pressure, or just the need to slightly change his approach. We'll see if it translates to more victories.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)
                    

Bench coach Tom Trebelhorn rejoined the team this morning, but he'll return to Arizona tonight to be with his wife, who suffered a stroke on Feb. 18 caused by a ruptured aneurysm. It's unknown when Trebelhorn will make another appearance here.

Nick Markakis walked into the clubhouse this morning wearing a t-shirt that read: "Keep staring. I might do a trick."

Relievers Jamie Walker and Chad Bradford are drawing high praise from team officials and other members of the organization for the leadership roles they've assumed since signing as free agents. They've been quick to offer advice to young pitchers about conditioning and other important aspects of a players' life.

In one instance, a pitcher noticed Walker doing cuff-weight exercises in the trainers room and wondered why he bothered. Walker couldn't believe the kid didn't have his own routine to follow and immediately shared his own, sending a strong message that didn't go ignored.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 9:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)
                    

The Orioles will have scrimmages Tuesday and Wednesday. I'll pass along the list of pitchers for the first one tomorrow.

Brandon Fahey said he gained about 15 pounds during the winter without changing his diet or workout regime. He's still skinny, but he's now wider than a flagpole, and I consider that progress.

Hitting coach Terry Crowley can always be found in the outdoor batting cage after workouts, soft-tossing to guys who want to take some extra swings. He's trying to learn all the new hitters, but it's challenging with players spread out on the main field and two back fields.

Crowley hasn't seen enough of Jon Knott yet to provide a thorough scouting report, but he says: "He's big and strong. From the little I've seen so far and the reports I've gotten, he looks good. He brings a lot of things to the table."

Crowley is eager to see what Knott can do once the games begin. So are a lot of us.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 4:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

The Orioles were greeted by another warm south Florida morning. Blue sky. Sunshine. And a monotonous drill.

Pop-up drills, to be exact. The pitching machine is tilted upward. Infielders call for the ball, or outfielders call them off. Once in a while, a pitcher standing on the mound will try to direct traffic.

Reliever Jamie Walker returned to camp after being hit high in the back of his head by a Nick Markakis line drive during yesterday's live batting practice session. The ball left a visible red mark on Walker, who has a mild concussion and won't do any throwing or participate in any drills today.

"I’m fine," he said. "It knocked some sense in me. But I’m fine. Just sore. That’s about it. I’m all right. They’re gonna let me have a day off, I guess, and check me out tomorrow. But I’m fine. Heck, sitting in the emergency room was worse than getting hit. I was there about four hours, but that’s the way it is in emergency rooms. It’s life and death. I understand it. They did a pretty good job getting me in there and getting me out."

Walker turned away from the ball, which prevented a more serious injury.

"I tried to get out of the way of it. I saw it coming," he said. "I tried to get my glove up, but heck, I don’t have the reaction like I used to. But luckily it didn’t hit me in the temple.

"I didn’t go down. I don’t know how far the ball went."

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)
                    

It's optional whether a pitcher uses a protective screen when throwing batting practice.

Jamie Walker might want to reconsider his choice.

Walker apparently will be OK after taking a NicK Markakis liner off the back of his head. He was taken to Holy Cross Hospital for further evaluation, but a club spokesman said the left-hander was alert and fine.

Markakis went into the clubhouse looking for Walker, but the reliever already had left the complex.

"It definitely made my heart skip a little bit," Markakis said.

Meanwhile, catcher Paul Bako has glowing praise for Chris Ray:

"He's really good," Bako said. "Velocity, obviously, he really lights up the radar gun, but what impressed me the first time catching him was how well he works in and out and down. It looks like he's got a reall good idea where to locate the ball."

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 1:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)
                    

Jamie Walker took a line drive from Nick Markakis off the back of his head, but he never went down and walked off the field under his own power.

The crowd let out a loud gasp, then fell silent as trainers rushed to Walker's aid.

Earlier, Scott Williamson walked off the field with assistant trainer Brian Ebel and headed to the clubhouse, pointing to the back of his surgically-repaired right elbow along the way. Head trainer Richie Bancells followed them, and we all assumed the worst.

Soon after, Williamson returned to the field. Turns out, he was doing some exercises.

At least I didn't start a rumor. I almost rushed to my laptop and fired off an entry.

Danys Baez looked like he'd pose a danger this morning. He was pretty wild, at separate times causing Markakis, Corey Patterson and Jay Gibbons to spin out of the way.

Meanwhile, I just learned that Aaron Rakers is a spring invite of the San Diego Padres.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)
                    

The clubhouse closed to the media today at 8:30 a.m. for meetings, so pre-workout access was limited.

Players emerged after 9 a.m., stretched, did some light throwing and headed to the back fields, where they're engaged in rundown drills - between first and second, second and third, third and home.

"We can do better than that. Come on," manager Sam Perlozzo shouted at one point. "You can't run the same speed as the runner."

It's obvious that new third base coach Juan Samuel will be one of the more active coaches on the staff. He's been given a lot of responsibilities. Players formed a circle around him on the mound before the rundown drills began, and he did all the talking before Perlozzo stepped in briefly. Yesterday, Samuel offered instruction at third base during batting practice, as runners took their leads and simulating breaking on contact.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Once again, I'm unable to respond to reader comments in the appropriate place - the system is messing with me again - so I'll address a few points here.

I haven't seen much of Aubrey Huff in the outfield. It's mostly first base. And you won't learn much from a guy casually shagging fly balls. Once the games begin, we'll all get a better read on him.

I haven't heard Curt Schilling's name mentioned at all. We can't turn back the clock and undo that Glenn Davis trade, no matter how hard we try.

The workouts vary each day. Pitchers throw on the side and are starting to throw batting practice. Hitters take BP. The drills can include hitting the cutoff man, rundowns, pitchers covering first,  catchers hustling to prevent errant throws from reaching the dugout. And there's the usual conditioning drills - guys running from first to third, moving laterally and touching the ground before shifting the other way, etc. 

It's not the most exciting stuff to watch, but it's necessary.

As for Kris Benson's winter, it appears that he chose to rest the shoulder, rather than doing range-of-motion exercises. The club would have preferred the latter.

The Orioles apparently will play two scrimmages, on Feb 27 and 28. "We’ll get some umpires on this field and give them six or seven innings in each game," manager Sam Perlozzo said.

Here's Perlozzo on how Jay Gibbons has looked at first: "Anybody can go out and take ground balls. We all can do that. You can stick a glove on a lot of people and look halfway decent. It’s game situations, reacting during a game if there's a hitter up there. I want to take a look at all of them."

That's why it's difficult for me to relay how certain players are looking right now. They're just getting started.

It's still obvious that Paul Bako is the frontrunner to be the backup catcher, which is why the Orioles signed him to a major league deal in the first place. J.R. House will have to prove that he can handle first base, hit major league pitching and not be a liability behind the plate if he's got any chance.

"J.R. plays a couple of different positions. We’ll take a look at him and see what he can help us with," Perlozzo said. "If somebody is going to steal it away from Bako, he’s going to have to swing the bat and catch pretty well. Paul’s been around a pretty long time. But we’ll give them all a shot and see what they got."   

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 5:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (21)
                    

There's a rumor floating around that I got a tattoo today on my upper right arm with my daughter's name on it.

Anyway, Kris Benson went through the first day of his rehab program after taking his physical yesterday. He left the complex, stopping to sign a few autographs at the gate around 2:30 p.m.

"We just did some light dumbbell exercises, just trying to strengthen up everything around the rotator cuff," he said. "Stim and ice tomorrow. The next few days will be the same, just increasing the weight slowly, adding a few exercises."

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 3:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (17)