SARASOTA, FLA. — Orioles pitching prospect Hunter Harvey, whose minor league season ended in late July after he experienced shoulder soreness, said Monday that his arm feels completely healthy.
Harvey, the Orioles' first-round pick in 2013, said he resumed throwing "a couple weeks ago" after an MRI in mid-December was clean.
"It was soreness," said Harvey, who was 7-5 with a 3.18 ERA in 17 starts last season for Low-A Delmarva. "It got a little tight, and they wanted to take precautions and make sure nothing."
Harvey, 20, likely will throw a bullpen session Tuesday. This is the second minicamp he has attended.
"That's a huge opportunity, to be able to come down here in front of a big league pitching coach and a head coach and being around some of these other guys," Harvey said. "It's a good opportunity."
The Orioles have high hopes for Harvey, and some in the organization believe he could move through the minor leagues quickly.
"I didn't get to pitch that last month, but development-wise I thought last year went pretty good," Harvey said. "I learned a lot of new things. I can work off what I did last year and keep going."
Around the horn
Rain shortened Monday's minicamp workout. Only three pitchers were able to throw bullpen sessions: left-hander Mark Hendrickson, who is trying out with the team, Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia and minor league left-hander Stephen Tarpley. Manager Buck Showalter said he was impressed by Garcia's delivery. "I wanted to see if the delivery was as clean as it was on tape," Showalter said. "That's a pretty good arm right there. It's going to be fun to watch him." … Outfielder-first baseman Alex Hassan, who had hernia surgery and a hamstring injury last season, was fully cleared, Showalter said. "He's going to be ready to go," Showalter said. … Outfielder Henry Urrutia and minor league outfielder Michael Burgess were both in attendance Monday. Showalter said he was impressed with Urrutia, who appears to have gained some upper-body muscle mass while spending most of the offseason working out at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. "I don't think there's anybody that wants it more than him," Showalter quipped. … Left-hander T.J. McFarland is expected to arrive at minicamp Tuesday, and third baseman Manny Machado is still expected to stop by Wednesday to have his surgically repaired right knee examined.
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