Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-- --Adam Jones began his professional career as a shortstop, but he has no intention of playing the position with the Orioles. Or any other team, for that matter.

"Down in Venezuela, I messed around every once in a while, taking ground balls with some of the players," he said. "I see why I'm in the outfield now."

Jones reported to camp yesterday and received the celebrity treatment. Players stopped to watch him take batting practice. Television cameras that weren't on the premises the first five days were pointed in his direction, and he agreed to do one interview after another before retreating to the clubhouse.

Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie spotted Jones and jokingly asked, "Is this the diva?"

Jones and Nick Markakis will share the outfield, just as they did in the Arizona Fall League. Like a double-play combination, they will have to get accustomed to each other.

"We have to know each other's game, what he's capable of doing and what I'm capable of doing," Markakis said. "The biggest thing is just to communicate out there. He does a great job. He covers a lot of ground."

Jones already has proven that he will do most of the talking. Markakis is still quiet by nature, a personality trait that masks an excellent sense of humor.

Asked if he was looking forward to being the media's go-to guy this year, Markakis replied, "I'm not going to answer that."