Matusz to get wart removed in Philly

The Orioles' string on 3 straight Grapefruit League wins came to an end today as the Birds lost 2-0 Minnesota Twins this afternoon. O's left-handed starter Brian Matusz pitched two scoreless innings in his 2011 Spring debut. However, bigger news regarding Matusz came out after the game was over. Both Brian and Manager Buck Showalter disclosed the Matusz will be leaving the team tomorrow morning to have a procedure completed on his pitching hand in Philadelphia. Matusz will be having a small wart removed via laser surgery on Friday morning in Philly. According to Showalter, Brian will return to the club in Sarasota late on Friday evening. The wart has been a problem since the end of last season and bothers Brian when he throws his breaking balls. Both Showalter and Matusz do not think that the surgery will be a problem and that Brian will miss one Spring start at most. As a fan, I can't help but wonder why this problem is just being taken care of now. If it had been evident at the end of last season, why wasn't it taken care of during the offseason? Also, how did it just becoming a problem? Brian has been throwing for two weeks now. If there was a major aggravation when he throws his breaking balls, why didn't he have it looked at earlier in the spring? I just wonder why this procedure is happening now. Most likely everything will be fine but anytime something goes on with a player's pitching hand this close to the season, no matter how small, it is a big deal. To me quality organizations have this mapped out ahead of time make sure everyone is 100% at this time of year. Well we can only hope for the best.

3 In A Row

The Orioles won their 3rd Grapefruit League game in a row in as many days today with a 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Chris Tillman started for the Birds vs. Roy Oswalt of the Phillies. Tillman only gave up one in two innings of work. Chris is competing with Rich VandenHurk for the 5th spot in the rotation when the Birds cut down to 25. Following Tillman, 23 year old phenom Zack Britton pitched 2 scoreless innings in his Grapefruit League debut. Britton is one of the next great young arms in the O's farm system and will likely be a September call-up or a full time big leaguer by next year. However, Buck Showalter has not ruled him out of making the rotation this year. I just don't want to see the young man rushed. Its better to wait then ruin what could be a 15 year career as the ace of the future play-off caliber Birds. On offense, the O's were lead by catcher Matt Wieters, who went 3-4 and drove in two of the O's runs. Hopefully, Matt is ready for a break out season. Last year, his defense was much improved and his management of the pitching staff was un precedented for a sophomore player. It is now time for him to get his offense started. I never thought Wieters, himself, could be the answer to all of the Orioles needs. However, he should be able to drive in 70 runs and hit 20 to 25 homeruns a year. If Buck can get that sort of production out of his catcher and 7 hole in the batting order, the Birds will be in great shape for years to come.

Ed Smith Stadium Opens with Fireworks

7, 497, a stadium record, attended the Baltimore Orioles Grapefruit League Home Opener today and the debut of the newly renovated Ed Smith Stadium. The Birds started the offensive fireworks early and the continued long throughout the game as the O's went on to a 12-6 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Nick Markakis hit two home runs and collected four RBIs in his four innings of work. Star Vlad Guerrero started off with a bang, hitting his first home run as an Oriole in the first inning of today's ball game. Also homering for the Birds of Baltimore were Centerfielder Adam Jones and Catcher/Utility man Jake Fox. In addition to great offense, Starter Jeremy Guthrie retired all 6 batters he faced in his quick 2 innings of work. The O's look to be off to a great start this spring. Stay tuned for more.

Grapefruit League Opener

The O's opened their 2011 Grapefruit League schedule today with an exhibition 6-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, Fl. Starter Brad Bergesen pitched well, only allowing one baserunner and striking out two in his two hours of work. The stars of the day however came on offense, newly signed Superstar Vlad Guerrero hit an infield single in his first at bat and drove in an rbi. Also, Nolan Reimold got off to a hot start with a deep solo homer in the second. This is a great sign that Reimold has turned things around and is ready to go this year. Fans can remember Nolan's terrible 0-22 Grapefruit League start last year and also the terrible season that followed. Reimold went 1-1, with a solo home run and 3 walks. Hopefully, this is a sign of great things out of the still promising Orioles prospect. Personally, I am a very big fan of Reimold. I think that he has great power and is a very hardworking ball player. It would be nice to see him make a play for the final roster spot. Overall, things went well as the Birds came away with a win and two major pieces of the team contributed. Stay tuned for further Spring Training Updates.

Lee in, Roberts out

Off-season addition, first baseman Derrek Lee hit live batting practice for the first time this spring today. Lee had surgery on his right thumb during the off-season to help fix an injury that he suffered towards the end of last season. According to Manager Buck Showalter, Lee looked good in B.P. and is making strides. Derrek will continue to get treatment and take precautions. The thumb only hurts when he makes contact on the end of the bat or on the handle. When the ball is hit on the "sweet spot" he does not feel and vibrations that aggravate the injury. As long as he feels well, Lee will continue to hit live B.P.  However, he will be careful not to push himself; taking rests whenever necessary. 

Unfortunately, Brian Roberts missed practice again today with a "stiff neck." He will miss the inter-squad scrimmages that will take place this weekend and will most likely not play in the first exhibition game, against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday. At this point, fans can only believe what Brian and the training staff are saying about the neck being "nothing major." I am worried though, because I have memories of this type of situation with his back last year. Brain said that if this was the regular season he would be out there, but you never know. Hopefully, everything heals fast and the Orioles stay healthy. The season is long. There is no need to get worried if a guy misses a few spring training workouts and an exhibition game or two. However, everybody has to be conditioned and ready to go when the pitches start for real on the April 1st. 

Visit From A Legend

Today the Orioles welcomed a special guest for a visit before the morning work out. Hall-of-famer Frank Robinson visited the club and provided the new-look Birds with words of inspiration for the upcoming season. Robinson stressed the importance of working hard for the greater good of the team and conducting oneself professionally on and off the field. Frank represents the glory days of the O's, when the team not only played fundamentally sound baseball but they also played the "game of life" the "right way." Over the past few years, I think that the Orioles have not honored their heritage and traditions as much as they should have. Current players should be in awe of Brooks, Frank, Jim, Cal, Eddie and many more of the hardworking Birds of Baltimore that made the franchise the great destination that it is. Baseball used to be paramount in Baltimore. Not only winning, but winning with class was expected. I am glad to see Buck Showalter attempting to involve as many former players as possible. He understands the traditions and that change does not mean looking past all of the heritage. The current edition of the O's need to honor their past and carry on the legacy of the black and orange.

Roberts Truly Healthy?

Many Orioles fans know that Brian Roberts health, or lack thereof, was a major reason for the Birds offensive struggles throughout the first part of the season. Brian is one of the better lead-off men in the game and truly set the table for O's hitters, especially Nick Markakis and Adam Jones. Last year Roberts reported to camp with what started as just a sore back and transformed into a herniated disc. 

Today, about mid-morning, it was released that Roberts would not be practicing and would be leaving camp to get an MRI on a self-diagnosed "strained neck." I cringed as I read the ESPN text update, knowing that this was very similar to the way his injury progression started last year. Upon, returning to camp Roberts said all is fine for now and his back has nothing to do with the current pain. It is still unclear when he will return to practice, but should be in the next few days, or so we hope.

I think that Brian is very key to the potential success ahead of the Birds this season. Without his bat in the line-up and speed on the basepaths, the table may not be set for Vlad, Reynolds, and the boys to clean up. Hopefully, the report is accurate and Roberts is not withholding anything. Stay tuned for updates daily.