Spring Training Primer: Britton's oblique; Intrasquad opener; Joseph on Wieters - BaltimoreBaseball.com
Spring Training

Spring Training Primer: Britton’s oblique; Intrasquad opener; Joseph on Wieters

What’s happening: The Orioles are scheduled to play their second intrasquad game today at 1:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium.  Rain is forecast, and if the game can’t be played, it will be moved to Thursday morning.

Wade Miley and Ubaldo Jimenez, both projected to be in the club’s 2017 rotation, are today’s scheduled starters. Dylan Bundy and Mychal Givens are also among those scheduled to pitch.

Manager Buck Showalter said that nearly all the pitchers who didn’t work in Tuesday’s game would pitch today.

What’s happened: Midway through Tuesday’ scoreless, six-inning intrasquad game, the Orioles announced a trade, acquiring left-hander Richard Bleier from the New York Yankees for a player to be named later.

First baseman/outfielder Christian Walker, who was designated for assignment to make room for Bleier on the 40-man roster, was a late scratch from Tuesday’s lineup and was replaced at first base by non-roster infielder David Washington.

Bleier’s acquisition took the attention away from the first game of camp, which was dominated by pitching.

Non-roster outfielder Craig Gentry made an excellent catch on Welington Castillo’s fly ball, leaning over into the stands to snare it. Gentry also stole two bases.

What’s up with: Closer Zach Britton, who was scheduled to pitch in today’s intrasquad game, will be held out due to a potential oblique injury, according to Showalter. If this were in-season, Showalter suggested that Britton could continue to pitch with the soreness.

What they’re saying: “For me, ‘irreplaceable’ is the best word. He took me under his wing a couple years ago — actually more than a couple years ago — taught me a lot of what I know. Not only helped me get here, but also stay here. But off the field, he’s been even more. He’s been a mentor … a friend … a guy to lean on. That’s kind of the stuff you miss.” — Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph on Matt Wieters signing with the Washington Nationals.

What’s the number? 8 — That’s how many new players the Orioles have added in the past two weeks. Three of them, right-hander Gabriel Ynoa and left-handers Vidal Nuno and Bleier, are on the 40-man roster. The other five — infielders Robert Andino, Johnny Giavotella and Chris Johnson and outfielders Gentry and Michael Bourn — are veteran players signed to minor league contracts.

Rich Dubroff covers the Orioles for PressBoxOnline.com. You can read his stories here.

 

RAVENS NEWS from BaltimoreSports.com

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