One positive coming out of spring training that really wasn't discussed much was the health of center fielder Adam Jones, who batted .293 with a team-leading five home runs and 12 RBIs.
Jones, an All-Star and Gold Glove winner last season, has missed significant time the past two years with injuries, prompting questions as to whether he can stay healthy for an entire season. While saying the questions about his ability to stay healthy are fair, Jones said people have to remember the nature of the two injuries.
"I've had two freak injuries," he said. "It's not like something was lingering, and I just shut it down. I fouled a ball off and broke my foot and I sprained my ankle. There is nothing I can do about those things. Who do you think that frustrates more? It frustrates me the most. My main thing is to go out there and play 162. That's what I told [Dave] Trembley. I think if I play the whole season, I'm going to put up pretty good numbers."
Jones did say that he worked even harder this offseason to prepare his body for the season, and the results have been encouraging. No Oriole was making much better contact than Jones was this spring.
"It's crazy," he said. "This spring, I was hitting balls harder, I was hitting them farther. My arm feels good. I think I'm kind of getting my adult strength a little bit more. I don't know, I guess I'm just growing into my body a little more."
Check back a little later and I'll have an entry on Jones' other big challenge this season – improving his plate discipline.