PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Pitcher Juan Guzman was the first Oriole to arrive at Thomas White Stadium yesterday morning, stopping to sign autographs at the gate outside the visitor's clubhouse before changing into his uniform. And he was the first player to leave after going five innings in a 4-3 victory over the New York Mets.

Today's agenda will include a round of golf and some quality time with his family in Miami. Perhaps he'll turn on the television and catch a few innings of the Orioles' exhibition game in Cuba. Perhaps not.

"I might watch a little of it," he said.

Guzman's turn to pitch originally fell on this date, but manager Ray Miller started him yesterday on three days' rest and held Scott Erickson until today. The decision was made in part to separate Erickson and Mike Mussina in the rotation, but also with consideration to Guzman living in a community that's heavily populated with Cuban-Americans.

"[The Orioles] are the ones who made the decision. I didn't make it," Guzman said after allowing five hits and two unearned runs. "They told me, 'We know you live right in the middle of Miami. You're the only one. We don't think you need to go. You're not going to do anything over there, so we're just going to leave you out of it.' I would have gone. I play for the Orioles. They're the ones who pay me, so I need to do whatever they tell me."

Asked later if he was happy to stay behind, Guzman said, "It's going to be a day off for me and I'm going to spend it with my family. Any day off is good, especially now."

Vinas' parents OK trip

Erickson, Scott Kamieniecki, Mike Timlin, Delino DeShields and Harold Baines left early for Havana rather than depart after the game. They were joined by former pitching coach Mike Flanagan, an analyst for HTS.

Like the other Orioles in Port St. Lucie, catcher Julio Vinas showered and dressed quickly before boarding a bus for the airport. The game in Havana, he insisted, would be like the other exhibitions this spring, though this one hits closer to home.

Vinas grew up in Miami, but his parents lived in Cuba until Fidel Castro took power. He didn't decide to make the trip with his teammates until being certain that his family had no objections.

"They don't have a problem with me going there," said Vinas, a 26-year-old catcher who hit .352 at Triple-A Rochester last season. "They know I'm just going to play baseball, that's it. Nothing political behind it. It's just a game.

"I talked it over with my friends, too, to see how they felt, and everyone I've come in contact with hasn't had a problem with it. I'm not going over there to give money to anyone. I'm playing a game. That's what I do for a living. And as of right now, I'm part of the team."

The Orioles took 35 of their 37 players to Cuba, the exceptions being Guzman and third baseman Cal Ripken. Outfielder Danny Clyburn was optioned to Rochester after the game, and outfielder Ricky Otero was reassigned to the minor-league camp. The active roster will consist of 25 players.

It's been 40 years since a major-league team played in Cuba. The Orioles were scheduled to play three games there against Cincinnati on March 28-30, 1960, but the site was changed to Miami.

Midweek return for Amaral

Rich Amaral remained out of the lineup yesterday because of a strained lower back. Trainer Richie Bancells told Ray Miller that Amaral should be able to return by Tuesday or Wednesday.

"I sure hope so," Miller said.

Of the remaining players in camp, outfielders Mike Murphy and Lyle Mouton would be the first choices of Miller to take Amaral's place if his condition doesn't improve by Opening Day.

"I could take a Danny Clyburn, but he needs to be playing every day," Miller said. "Obviously, we have people on this team we need to run for in close games and that's why it's so important that the bench be versatile. When [Jeff] Reboulet's OK and Amaral's OK, you've got two versatile people. But you've got to be healthy first."

Reboulet, still bothered by tendinitis in his left heel, followed his seven-inning stint Friday against Los Angeles by getting a pinch-hit single in the ninth yesterday.

Reboulet said the heel felt pretty good in the morning after playing on the softer infield at Vero Beach. "I was encouraged by that," he said.