Spring Training

Spring Training Primer: Intrasquads start; Nuno expected; ‘Andino at the Movies’ no more

What’s happening: Right-handers Tyler Wilson (pictured above) and Mike Wright combined for 25 starts and 42 appearances for the Orioles in 2016. Neither did enough to really separate himself from the pack going into this year. But they’ll get the first cracks on the mound this spring as they’ve been tabbed to start today’s initial Orioles’ intrasquad game, which begins at 1:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium.

Besides Wilson and Wright, Logan Verrett, Zach Stewart, Jason Garcia, Jayson Aquino, Joe Gunkel, Gabriel Ynoa, Donnie Hart, Oliver Drake, Parker Bridwell and Richard Rodriguez are also scheduled to pitch today.

The Orioles also will play an intrasquad game Wednesday and, like today’s, it will not be open to the public. Wednesday’s pitchers have not been announced, but right-hander Logan Ondrusek (ankle) will be held out of both games.

What’s happened: Left-hander Vidal Nuno, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday for minor league reliever Ryan Moseley, is expected to report to camp Wednesday.

Manager Buck Showalter said that Nuno could both start and relieve.

“That’s one of the attractions of him. [He’s a] starter, reliever, long reliever, [has] options,” Showalter said. “We got caught in some tough situations last year where we couldn’t manipulate and maneuver.”

Nuno is expected to challenge for a bullpen spot along Wilson, Wright and Verrett. All four have options. T.J. McFarland, who was designated for assignment to make room for Nuno on the 40-man roster, is out of options.

What they’re saying: “I ain’t focused on no movies this year. I’m focused on catching the ball. Ain’t going to see no ‘Andino at the Movies.’ If they ask me, I’m focusing on catching the ball, putting a bunt down or something.” — Robert Andino, trying to make the Orioles as a non-roster infielder, on not bringing back his popular, in-game, film-review feature that was shown on the Camden Yards scoreboard.

What’s the number? 9 — That’s how many outfielders are on the Orioles’ 40-man roster. And that doesn’t include any non-roster invitees such as Michael Bourn, signed to a minor-league deal Monday, or Craig Gentry, who signed a minor-league deal Saturday.

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

 

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