SARASOTA, FLA. — Steve Pearce knows who he is and what he does best, so he said Tuesday that he brought a variety of gloves to Orioles major league camp in anticipation of working at a lot of positions this spring.
"I've got all my gloves broken in and all ready, so I'll play wherever Buck wants me to play," Pearce said. "…The only thing I'm missing is a catcher's mitt."
The 2014 season was a strange journey. Pearce was designated for assignment in April and re-signed days later after first baseman Chris Davis went down with an oblique injury. Over the next five months, he proved to be one of the most valuable players on a team that reached the ALCS.
"It's been a long road for me," he said. "I'm just glad I got the chance."
Pearce said he wouldn't mind settling into one position, but he enjoys being the player who can step in anywhere and play at a major league level.
"It'll definitely be fun … you never know what you're going to get," he said. "If I'm still in the lineup, I'll play anywhere."
Around the horn
Orioles manager Buck Showalter's annual team-building meeting was scheduled for Tuesday night. Each season, he takes the players and coaches to a movie theater where they see a highlight-motivational film produced by the Orioles video staff. … Right-hander Steve Johnson, who jammed a finger on his pitching hand while fielding a ball Sunday, said he hopes to throw a bullpen session Wednesday.
peter.schmuck@baltsun.com
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