A look back at the previous week in Spring Training for the Baltimore Orioles.
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- Left-handed pitcher Brian Matusz is continuing to show his ability as a top starter for the O's for the upcoming season. As the 2013 regular season is rapidly approaching, Baltimore's manager, Buck Showalter is still looking for his fifth starter. After striking out seven and not allowing a run in Wednesday's outing against the Minnesota Twins, Matusz is looking to continue to improve upon his pitches and his approach to the strike zone. "It was great results," Matusz said. "I kept the ball down today, attacked the zone and worked really well with [catcher Taylor Teagarden.]" Showalter still has a lot to consider, including the possible placement of Matusz in the bullpen (a role he thrived in at the end of last season). "You never know what a stint in the bullpen might do for him. We'll do what's best for the club. We still got a long time to make that decision. I'm not going to make it here tonight," said Showalter. Matusz will continue to make scheduled starts throughout the remainder of spring training. A decision on his placement will be made in the next two weeks.
- Baltimore's top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy was optioned to Double-A Bowie prior to Saturday's game. Bundy appeared in four games for the Orioles this spring, starting only one of them. In eight innings the right-hander accumulated a 1.13 earned run average, going 1-1 while striking out five and walking six. Showalter says time with the Double-A affiliate will be the perfect set-up for Bundy to improve. "It's time for him to get stretched out a little bit more, and [innings] aren't here for him," Showalter said. "He's going to start the year in Bowie and go ahead and get that mentality, mindset, adjustment made as soon as possible." Bundy was the fourth pick overall in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. Showalter has confidence that Bundy will reach the level to compete in the bigs saying, "He's going to be a good one."
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| Courtesy Getty Images |
- Adam Jones rejoined his teammates in Sarasota, Florida on Sunday after Team USA was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic on Friday night. Jones reenters camp with more plate appearances than any other Oriole. Showalter said he isn't rushing to put Jones back in the line-up because of this aspect; however, he is expected to be back in the line-up on Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays. The center fielder played in six games for Team USA, hitting only .182 (4-for-22). Showalter spoke to Jones saying, "He was up early, boy. He is looking forward to getting back to Sarasota, let's put it that way." With Jones returning, only two players remain away from camp. Reliever Pedro Strop of the Dominican Republic and infield prospect Jonathan Schoop of the Netherlands are still with their respective teams in the WBC.
- On the injury front, Nick Markakis has been out of the Orioles line-up since March 3rd after being diagnosed with a small herniated disk in his neck. On Tuesday there was speculations that Markakis might miss the Orioles' home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays, but as of right now he is expected to be out at least another week. In a more positive injury development, veteran second baseman Brian Roberts is expected to be healthy for the start of the regular season. So far at camp, Roberts has appeared in ten games hitting .333 in 30 at bats. In recent years, he has battled concussions that have kept him out of the line-up for a major part of the season.
- Boston fans will be getting another taste of Flacco. The New England Patriots were defeated by Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship back in January. However, New Englanders won't be seeing "Joe Cool" from the Ravens, but rather his brother Michael. On Friday the Red Sox traded cash to the Orioles for the young first baseman. Flacco hit .214 in 107 games between High-Class A and Double-A last season.
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