What’s happening: Ubaldo Jimenez, who had a 1-2-3-4 inning in his intrasquad game Thursday, takes the mound against the New York Yankees this afternoon. Jimenez, who isn’t known for always being efficient, threw so few pitches in his intrasquad inning that he faced an extra batter, whom he retired.
Today will be Jonathan Schoop’s final game before he takes off to join the Netherlands’ entry in the World Baseball Classic. The Netherlands begins WBC play against Korea in Seoul on March 7.
Zach Britton isn’t scheduled to pitch yet, but perhaps he will by the end of the week now that the discomfort in his left oblique is gone. Britton’s schedule is unaffected because he wouldn’t have pitched in a game in February.
“We had time, and based on the innings I need now, we had all the time in the world, to an extent. Obviously, if this was the middle of March, then I think you’re a little bit more worried about it. But I didn’t think it was anything serious and it’s gone away in about, what, four or five days?” Britton said.
What’s happened: Over the weekend, Christian Walker was claimed on waivers by Atlanta and left-handed reliever T.J. McFarland was granted his release.
Walker, a first baseman who was converted to the outfield last year, was designated for assignment Tuesday when left-handed reliever Richard Bleier was acquired from the Yankees. Walker had his path blocked to the majors by Chris Davis’ re-signing and the emergence of Trey Mancini.
“It’s a good move for him as human being,” Orioles manager Buch Showalter said of Atlanta’s claim. “He’ll get a good look and a good opportunity there.”
McFarland was designated for assignment Feb. 19 when another lefty, Vidal Nuno, was picked up from the Dodgers. The Orioles maintain interest in McFarland and would like to sign him to a minor league contract.
Infielder Paul Janish was signed to a minor league contract Saturday with an invitation to spring training, his third such deal in as many years.
What’s up with: Michael Bourn — Signed as a minor league free agent a week ago, Bourn mishandled a football thrown to him in a workout Friday and broke his right ring finger.
Bourn, who would make $2 million if added to the 40-man roster, has a March 27 opt-out date that may become irrelevant because he may not be ready to play. He’s out for an estimated four weeks.
Without Bourn, Rule 5 draft choices Anthony Santander and Aneury Tavarez and Craig Gentry, another veteran major leaguer signed to a minor league contract, will get longer looks for outfield spots.
What they’re saying: “It wasn’t football for fun, first off. I was doing it for conditioning. It was just a conditioning drill that you do and the ball just hit me in the wrong spot.” — Bourn on how his freak injury occurred.
What’s the number? 6 — That’s how many hits Orioles who’ll play in the WBC had in Sunday’s 8-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Adam Jones had a long home run and double. Manny Machado also had a home run while Welington Castillo had two hits and Schoop added one.
What’s the record? 2-1 — Last spring training, the Orioles didn’t get their second win until their 15th game.
Rich Dubroff covers the Orioles for PressBoxOnline.com. You can read his stories here.
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Bourn is a known commodity in the OF and what his Bat can do..don't mind at all the other young OFers getting reps and ABs...just curious would Kim or Rickard be better in RF if this becomes an issue..or can Smith/Trumbo hold it down on D?