If this had been any other Opening Day for second baseman Delino DeShields, his family would have made the drive from Seaford, Del., to watch him play. That's the way he always envisioned it. But being on the disabled list changed those plans.

"I'm not playing so I'm not really here yet," he said. "I told them to stay away until I get on the field."

Unless they're willing to follow him to Sarasota, Fla., they'll have to wait. DeShields flew there last night and will report to the minor-league camp, where he'll play three games as part of his rehabilitation from a fractured left thumb.

Barring any complications, DeShields will play in Double-A Bowie's opener Friday. He's eligible to come off the DL the next day and could rejoin the Orioles for their game against Toronto at Camden Yards, "but that could be pushing it," said general manager Frank Wren.

"He'll play there [in Bowie] until he gets his timing and our staff reports back that it looks like he's ready to go. From a physical standpoint, he's ready to go today, but from a timing standpoint and getting it back, that's where he needs some work."

DeShields sounds like he's on another timetable. "I'm planning on being active Saturday," he said.

DeShields hasn't faced live pitching since fracturing the thumb while catching a line drive from minor-league outfielder Luis Matos during a March 4 intrasquad game.

"I feel it if I hit it wrong," DeShields said, "but it's nothing I can't tolerate at this point."

He'll have to deal with going into a season devoid of any at-bats against major-league pitching.

"That's why I'm going down [to Sarasota], just to see some live arms," he said. "I'm just trying to get back out there and help. At the same time, I'm not going out there and put a lot of pressure on myself. I'm just going to take it slow, be patient and let the game come to me."

Kamieniecki on move, too

Scott Kamieniecki also was expected to leave for Sarasota last night as he rehabs a strained left hamstring.

Kamieniecki had the leg examined Sunday by team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs, and the club said there was no additional damage.

"He checked out fine," Wren said, adding that Kamieniecki most likely will need at least four rehab starts to build up his strength.

"I would think it would be pushing it to expect him back any time in April. It's possible, but he's going to have to get out pretty quickly to be able to do that."

Asked if there's any concern within the organization that the injury is more serious, Wren said, "I don't think so. There's nothing that's indicated other than [a strain] so far."

New GM Wren...

Wren said his first game as a GM "wasn't as nerve-racking and crazy" as he imagined.

"I got up extra-early and came in this morning to just kind of get settled in my office, and then everything started to happen. I've been busy since everything kind of broke loose here."

Wren has a view of the field from his office in the warehouse. Until yesterday, there hadn't been much to see.

"It's really special now with all the activity going on," he said. "I look forward to seeing it packed, I look forward to seeing the excitement of everything. Opening Day is the closest thing to the postseason for a lot of clubs. Hopefully, we'll get some extra-special time at the end of the year."

... vet Miller savor opener

By Miller's count, yesterday represented his 22nd Opening Day in the majors. The names and places change, but not the feeling.

"If you aren't [excited], you don't have a heart," he said. "Every one of them is exciting and different, whether you're a veteran or a kid. I guarantee you that Jesse Garcia doesn't have any more butterflies than Will Clark. Opening Day's a spectacle. It's like a rebirth in baseball every year."

The Orioles flew into Baltimore after Saturday's exhibition game in Birmingham, Ala., and Miller walked a few of the new players around Camden Yards "to say hello to the ballpark."

"It's a special feeling, especially for a first-year kid, but even guys who come from other organizations. This is just a great place to play," he said.

Picture of satisfaction

For Jesse Garcia, yesterday's opener turned into a reunion. He left tickets for various members of his family and friends -- including his parents and 3-year-old twin sons -- and none went to waste.

His mother drove to Baltimore from her Texas home, while the others flew here. After the game, Garcia stood in front of his locker and had photos taken with Polaroids, all the better to share the moment.

Garcia made his big-league debut in the eighth inning, replacing Reboulet at second base. "I was hoping I'd get a chance to hit, but at least I got in the game. Now I'm in the books," he said.

On the hot seat?

Miller noticed heat coming from the bench as he sat in the dugout before the game. The hot-seat analogy was there for the taking, and a reporter couldn't resist.

"I've never been worried about that," Miller said. "Somebody summed it up probably 15 years ago when they told me they threw away their rearview mirrors, and I did, too."

Designated druthers

Newly acquired Jeff Conine batted fifth against Tampa Bay's Wilson Alvarez. Will this continue each time the Orioles break out their right-handed lineup?

"That's where I put him today, so I guess that's kind of what your thinking is," Miller said.

"The idea is, if you turn it over and go left-handed, you've got [Harold] Baines hitting behind [Albert] Belle."

Conine hit .310 against left-handers the last five seasons. He walked twice against Alvarez and struck out looking against right-hander Rick White.

Clyburn changes clubhouses

Former Oriole Danny Clyburn sat in front of his locker in the visitor's clubhouse with a set of headphones drowning out the noise around him. He always had wanted to open a season in Baltimore, but it took last week's trade to make it possible.

"This is an opportunity for me to come here [to the majors] and hopefully stay for a long time," said Clyburn, who was dealt for right-hander Jason Johnson. "They just told me to play hard every day whenever they call on me, and that I'd get my chance to play."

He got a chance to bat in the eighth inning. Pinch-hitting for Dave Martinez, he struck out against left-hander Arthur Rhodes.

Clyburn spent most of the last two seasons at Triple-A Rochester, and was set to return there until being traded.

"If I come here and do good and show them I'm the player they think I am, that I know I am, I may have a chance to stay here for a long time," he said. "I'm more than happy."

Around the horn

Mike Bordick made a diving catch of a liner by John Flaherty to end the third inning and strand runners on the corners. Devil Rays third baseman Wade Boggs robbed Charles Johnson of a fourth-inning hit by diving to his left to field a sharp bouncer and throwing to first. This was the first time since 1993 that the Orioles opened against a team other than Kansas City. About 8,000 tickets remain for tomorrow night's game against the Devil Rays.

Pub Date: 4/06/99