Grapefruit game 17: Arrieta vs. Locke

Monday, 11 March 2013 11:26

Written by Bill Brink

Game: Orioles (10-3) at Pirates (6-10)

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Site: McKechnie Field

Radio: KDKA-FM 93.7

Weather: 76 and sunny

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BRADENTON, Fla. -- Garrett Jones said he will take "dry" swings today to see how his tight oblique feels. He felt better than he did Sunday after taking a couple days off from swinging.

Francisco Liriano told me this morning that he will throw off the slope of the mound, but not the actual rubber, today, as Ray Searage had said. Asked how his range of motion was, he lifted his right arm straight over his head.

"It can go all the way," he said.

He used three-pound weights to improve his range of motion. This will be the first time he throws off a mound.

He'll start the season on the DL and his contract will be in question, but it appears he's progressed well after the broken humerus and has not had a setback.

Starter Jeff Locke will bat today. It is getting close enough to the regular season that Clint Hurdle wants his pitchers to get practice at the plate.

The staff will meet today after the game to discuss options and re-assignments. Neal Huntington mentioned Sunday that while they have a lot of players in camp, injuries (Liriano, Charlie Morton, Jose Contreras, Chase d'Arnaud, Jones, Anderson Hernandez, Russell Martin) and the World Baseball Classic (Jameson Taillon, Chris Leroux, Wandy Rodriguez, Jason Grilli) meant the team needed extra bodies.

The cuts will likely be made Tuesday, which of course is an off day.

Liriano and Grilli meet Tuesday at 1 p.m. when Italy and the Dominican Republic play in the second round of the WBC. They play at Marlins Park in Miami.

ORIOLES

1. Alexi Casilla 6
2. Lew Ford 8
3. Conor Jackson 3
4. Steve Pearce DH
5. Russ Canzler 9
6. Danny Valencia 5
7. Yamaico Navarro 4
8. L.J. Hoes 7
9. Luis Exposito 2
Jake Arrieta RHP

PIRATES

1. Starling Marte 8
2. Jose Tabata 9
3. Neil Walker 4
4. Pedro Alvarez 5
5. Gaby Sanchez 3
6. Felix Pie 7
7. Clint Barmes 6
8. Michael McKenry 2
9. Jeff Locke 1

Scheduled to pitch for the Pirates: Kris Johnson, Phil Irwin, Bryan Morris, Erik Cordier, Vin Mazzaro.