Spring Training

Spring Training Primer: Ondrusek’s ankle, intrasquad info, Andino’s absence, small camp

What’s happening: The Orioles are playing two intrasquad games — Tuesday and Wednesday — this week. Their first Grapefruit League game is Friday at Lakeland, Fla., against the Detroit Tigers.

Manager Buck Showalter hasn’t announced who’ll be pitching versus the Tigers, but anticipates that nearly everyone will pitch in the two intrasquad games. Right-handers Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright will start Tuesday’s contest.

What’s happened: RHP Logan Ondrusek (pictured above) has a right ankle injury that occurred in a collision during drills Saturday. Ondrusek’s ankle is taped, and he hopes to miss just a few days. He’s competing for a long-relief role.

“It’s been a while since I’ve done it this bad, but it’s nothing I haven’t done before. I’m older now than what I used to be, so it’s going to take a day or two extra. We also have to be smart because it’s not even March yet, and the goal is to be ready for Opening Day — and then some,” Ondrusek said.

What’s up with: Robert Andino, who’s trying to make the Orioles as a non-roster infielder, left camp to deal with a family issue, and the team isn’t sure when he’ll return.

What they’re saying: “Today he wanted to play in both intrasquad games. I thought that was kind of revealing. A lot of things that we knew were going to be a challenge for him that he overcame that aren’t this year. I think it bodes well for his potential. I think he’s got another level he can go to,” Showalter on South Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim, who is entering his second major league season.

What’s the number? 54. That’s how many players the Orioles have in big league camp, which Showalter says is the fewest in the majors.

Rich Dubroff covers the Orioles for PressBoxOnline.com. Read more of his stories here.

Rich Dubroff

Rich Dubroff grew up in Brooklyn as a fan of New York teams, but after he moved to Baltimore, quickly adopted the Orioles and Colts. After nearly two decades as a freelancer assisting on Orioles coverage for several outlets, principally The Capital in Annapolis and The Carroll County Times, Dubroff began covering the team fulltime in 2011. He spent five years at Comcast SportsNet’s website and for the last two seasons, wrote for PressBoxonline.com, Dubroff lives in Baltimore with his wife of more than 30 years, Susan.

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  • Another level that he can go to? Jeepers what a difference a year makes.
    Another note: The Number 54? UMd's own Manster White = Good juju.

      • One things for sure: The crowd response to Kims Orange Carpet walk this year will be thunderous enough to hear in Seoul. In fact, if Kim doesnt ride out triumphant in a golden chariot while that clip of Tom Hagen shouting at congress in Godfather II ("this committee owes an APOLOGY Senator! ") plays in the background, I will be disappointed.

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