Orioles reliever Jim Johnson, who wasn't available on Wednesday because of inflammation in his right elbow, played catch before tonight's game and told manager Dave Trembley that he was ready to go.
"My arms feels good," Johnson said. "I'll be in there."
Outfielder Felix Pie, who has been relegated to pinch-runner duties due to a left rotator cuff strain, also said that he was much improved, but he still is probably a day or so away from returning to the Orioles lineup.
Pie will try playing catch before tomorrow's home opener. He admitted it will be tough to miss that game, but he's focused on the big picture.
"I have to make my shoulder right," he said. "I don't want bad things to happen to me late in the season again."
Trembley also considered giving leadoff man Brian Roberts the night off to make sure the second baseman is ready for tomorrow's opener, but Roberts said that he felt good and was ready to play. Roberts, who missed most of spring with a herniated disk, is 0-for-10 so far in 2010.
"He's had some good at-bats," Trembley said. "He's seen a lot of pitches, fouled off a lot of pitches, worked the count. Hits haven't fallen in for him. I'm sure he's not where he wants to be simply because he didn't have that many at-bats in spring training. But I've said it before, he makes our team better."
I'll have more a little bit later, including a post on a productive meeting today between Trembley and outfielder Nolan Reimold.