FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A day after expressing some mild frustration that he still doesn't know where he'll play in 2008, Brian Roberts and his agent met with Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail yesterday at Fort Lauderdale Stadium.
Both sides were mostly mum about the 20-minute meeting, with MacPhail saying it was just the latest conversation between him and Roberts this spring, where he has tried to update the All-Star second baseman on the status of trade talks involving him. MacPhail has been talking to the Chicago Cubs for several months about Roberts, who has made it clear that he'd prefer not being on a rebuilding team.
"It's not any different than what we've been doing, occasionally just talking to him," MacPhail said. "This time, it's just that his agent was in town and he joined in. There was no specific agenda, nothing out of the ordinary."
Asked about the meeting, which started about 15 minutes after the Orioles' spring training game with the Florida Marlins was officially postponed by rain, Roberts' agent, Mark Pieper, said "there's really nothing new to report," and declined to comment further.
Roberts told The Sun yesterday that he's surprised that his situation still hasn't been resolved this late in spring training. He described it as "frustrating at times," and said "there comes a time where you'd like to know what's going on." He also expressed hope that the club will decide soon whether to trade him or announce that he'll be an Oriole on Opening Day.
MacPhail had planned on updating Roberts on where things stood, but the meeting, which took place behind closed doors in MacPhail's office, grew when he learned that Pieper was in town.
"I didn't know about it until today, but I'm always happy to see him, keep him updated as the best as I can," MacPhail said.
Gibbons' future uncertain
The Orioles are still deciding what they'll do with outfielder Jay Gibbons while he serves his 15-day suspension to begin the season, and they're expected to inform him no later than tomorrow so he can make the necessary arrangements.
Manager Dave Trembley said he'll consult with MacPhail before approaching Gibbons, who is competing for a spot on the roster as an extra outfielder and designated hitter.
"I'm assuming that he'll go to extended spring training, but I have not talked to Mr. MacPhail about that, and I have not talked to Gibby about that," Trembley said. "We're leaving after the game on Friday, and he needs to know where he's going."
Given the choice, Gibbons would prefer to work out with the club and join one of the minor league affiliates on a rehab assignment when the Orioles make their first road trip.
"I could play a week's worth of games and be ready to roll when I come back," said Gibbons, who's batting .172 with no home runs this spring. "Right now, I don't even know if I'll be leaving with them on Friday."
Catcher Costanzo?
The Orioles' experiment with turning Mike Costanzo into an emergency catcher will continue at their minor league camp.
Costanzo, catcher Omir Santos and outfielder Luis Terrero were reassigned yesterday, leaving 35 players in camp who won't go on the disabled list before the opener.
Costanzo batted .282 in 20 games and tied for the team lead with two home runs, but he also struck out 13 times in 39 at-bats. He'll hit in the middle of Triple-A Norfolk's lineup and mostly play first and third base, though the Orioles also want him to catch on occasion.
Around the horn
Yesterday's game against the Florida Marlins was canceled because heavy rains made the field unplayable. Daniel Cabrera will start today's game against the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers, Fla. ... Kevin Millar isn't expected to play again until tomorrow after needing a stitch Friday to close a cut on his left pinkie finger. ... Catcher/first baseman Chris Heintz returned to camp. ... Aubrey Huff will start at third base Tuesday.
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