Ahoy interweb!

Here I sit, paying $5 for courthouse wireless in a fairly stuffy room on the second floor of the Clarence Mitchell Jr Courthouse in beautiful downtown Baltimore. At least I assume it is still a beautiful day outside, the few times they have let us out of our pen the sun has been shining and a gentle breeze blowing. But, why would anyone want to leave? Fifteen dollars and "Monster In-Law" on the TV?! The hell, you say! Sign me up! All kidding aside, Jury Duty is fairly mind numbing, but the facilities are nice and the building is pretty and I have the ability to sit and talk to you - my dear readers.

First order of business; Jeremy Guthrie. Jeremy, Duder, seriously you are caring us up here. Every Orioles fan worth his salt is willing to chalk up last year to a "down" year. Even the best pitchers have them. But Guthrie's performance thus far in Sarasota has been let's say less than awe inspiring. Guts' ERA isn't quite as high as the clouds - but King Kong is swatting at it whilst atop the *new* Legg Mason Building. Guthrie had a sever problem with homeruns last year. Guthrie gave up a league leading 35 dingers in '09 on his way to a league leading 17 losses. No one more than Guthrie himself wants to put a disastrous 2009 behind him and start fresh.

So far this Spring Guthrie looks like he is still trying to shake off the last vestiges of a bad dream. Guthrie has an ERA over nine and has given up three homers so far. Now, before you say it - yes I am well aware it is Spring Training. I am aware that these things mean nothing. but you are not going to sit there reading the words on your screen and tell me that Jeremy's rough start does not bother you just a little bit. You are not going to sit there and say that if Jeremey was mowing down every player he faced you wouldn't be completely jazzed.

Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery. Hi, my name is James - and I am slightly concerned by Spring Training statistics.

Do not misinterpret. I am not turning in my season plan or throwing away my 1969 day-glo orange replica throw back Cooperstown Collection jersey or anything. I just hope that these springtime struggles are just that springtime struggles. I don't want to be sitting here in June writing about how "[Oriole player]'s struggles started back in March and he never truly overcame them." Matt Wieters announced his presence during Guthrie's last start with a truly mammoth homerun, according to reports, so that made us all feel a little better.

On the MASH front: Mike Gonzales pitched in a minor league game today. The best news - no back pain! Huzzah! Gonzales should pitch in a game this weekend. According to Orioles.com blogger Britt Ghiroli Roberts talked to his back doc today and is cleared to return to baseball activities today! Huzzah! Koji has a strained hamstring, again. It is the same hammy he hurt last year. Koji could be such a weapon in the bullpen but he is apparently made of a very delicate porcelain or some sort of paper mâché.

A BIG thank you to everyone who pre-ordered a shirt. They have been sent off to the printers, and I will recieve them sometime next week. Wherein I will send them off to you as soon as possible. IT IS NOT TOO LATE! There is still swag available to be had. Click the link to the right to order.

I have at least another hour or so to go before I am released from the democratic obligations. Again, jury duty isn't all that bad - but I could be blogging on my sofa right now, with a Clipper City McHenry in one hand, my cat lounging near by and the mello sounds of Dexter Gordon weaving through the air. Instead I am in a stuffy windowless room surrounded by middle-aged strangers with what might be the worst movie in existence flickering behind me. This is the "quiet room" so the sound is not on and yet as I glance around the room virtually everyone's gaze is transfixed on the voiceless face of Jennifer Lopez's extremely subpar rom-com. It's moments like this I wonder if I am actually part of some sort of twisted psychological experiment. Was this the government's doing? Or, rather, the machinations of some scientist slowly slipping into a meth-induced red-nightmare?

In this room I am 625 - though I would much rather be 6, at least he gets a snazzy jacket.

Only 21 days until the home-opener O's fans. What are your plans?

A contact at Major League Baseball has informed me that the blackout was been lifted in the Orioles local television market for MLB Network's simulcast of the Orioles at Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training game Sunday, March 21, live at 1:00 p.m. ET.

MLB Network will carry Comcast SportsNet's call of the game. For Orioles fans who also live in the Phillies’ home TV market, alternate programming will be provided.

This week, as part of the Hot Stove website, the Oriole Post along with other prominent bloggers were asked this question: Bearing in mind that Spring Training stats are essentially meaningless, who among the Orioles' players have helped or hurt themselves the most with their performances this spring?

For the most part, the Orioles everyday batting lineup is set, and also the bench. Although second baseman Brian Roberts has not played in a Grapefruit League game, Felix Pie has not played much due to injury, and Miguel Tejada, Nolan Reimold, plus Matt Wieters are struggling at the plate, no one is in real danger of losing their jobs.

On the pitching front, both Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman have made quite the impression this Spring; meanwhile, Brad Bergesen is coming back from injury and looks to be healthy. Veterans Kevin Millwood and Jeremy Guthrie have struggled at points during camp, but both men are virtual locks in the rotation.

Farmhands such as Josh Bell, Rhyne Hughes, Brandon Snyder and Miguel Abreu have made a solid impression amongst fans and personnel with the organization who seem them every day. None of these guys will be up with the Orioles on Opening Day unless there's a major injury or until much, much later in the season.

The real battle for roster spots is pretty much out of the bullpen at this point. Jim Johnson, Mike Gonzalez, Koji Uehera, plus lefties Will Ohman and Mark Hendrickson are locks; meanwhile, Cla Meredith, Matt Albers, Kam Mickolio and Dennis Sarfate are fighting for jobs in Baltimore. However, Mike Gonzalez has struggled with some ailments over the past week, but for the most part, he's more than safe on the roster.

Also, young pitchers David Hernandez and Jason Berken are also in contention for a roster spot. Both men had ups and downs last season at the major league level; however, Hernandez has been the far more consistent and impressive of two, while Berken has struggled. Hernandez could find himself a fifth starter if Tillman falters or in the bullpen, while Berken - I think - will start the year in Triple-A (Norfolk).

Out of the aforementioned pitchers above, Meredith, Mickolio and Albers - who was had conditioning issues and coming off a poor 2009 campaign - have looked good in Grapefruit League action; Sarfate has struggled. Considering how bad the bullpen was at points last season - especially towards the end - this is the area of team that most have been watching. I'd say Meredith and Mickolio have the best chance of coming up to Baltimore, and Albers is not too far behind.

It will be interesting to see how the roster shapes up heading into the final weeks of Spring Training.

The 2010 baseball season will being in 20 days. 20 days, the weather is great here in the Land of Pleasant Living. 66+ degrees and a few wispy clouds in the sky. It smells like spring, I can taste baseball.

Still, the Orioles have some issues to deal with. Second baseman Brian Roberts has yet to play in an exhibition game and has returned from his brief jaunt to Baltimore with yet another prognosis of wait and see. Roberts received an epidural to try and calm the small hernia in his lower back. Roberts is still planning on being in the lineup in 20 days, but the longer this goes on the more worried I get. To me, the silver lining in this situation is that if this was any kind surgery-worthy injury we would have known that by now and Roberts would have been presenting more troubling symptoms. All accounts are that he looks fine and is doing pretty much everything in camp - except playing in games.

Even more troubling however is Nolan Reimold. Nolan is recovering from achilles surgery over the winter and it seems he is still running with soreness and limping.The young outfielder has been assuring everyone that he will be fine, but I am very concerned. Unlike Roberts, Reimold still has a lot to prove and I could see him trying to fight through an injury and making it worse. Combine this Felix's sore shoulder the outfield "log jam" is suddenly looking a lot less jammed.

Another source of concern is recent SI cover-boy Matt Wieters. Wieters has only one hit so far this Spring. Now, granted he hasn't played on consecutive days much, and it is less than 20 ABs, and some might say that he is a slow starter, and he isn't playing in complete games, and he is supposed to be working on his defense moreso that his offense - but one hit. One. I am a full believer in Wieters, but here is the deal Baltimore. We have put the weight of the world on this young man's massive shoulders. Wieters was feeling the pressure last year and he scuffled, hopefully those butterflies will be gone but I am sure being reminded that his Georgia Tech teammates nicknamed him "God" doesn't help things.

Once again, Spring Training is practice it doesn't count and there is no need to worry. CC Sabathia looks terrible as does Joba Chaimberlain the struggles of Wieters et al are more common than not and there is no reason to worry. But the Baltimore inside me is getting nervous.

Perhaps I just need to stop worrying, and love the weather. I'll tell you what, wireless + laptop equals blogging outdoors and it is fantastic! Just sitting here in the sunshine is making me feel a bit better.

Don't forget - Friday is the deadline for BELIEVE shirt preorders. Again, these are PRE-orders. You will be guaranteed to receive them before Opening Day. Friday I will send them off to the printers along with an order for about another 50 of various sizes. Once those 50 are gone, there is no way I can get more in time for OD, so to make sure you get one - order one now!

The blog has mentioned over and over that a key to how far the Orioles in 2010 and the future will hinge not solely on the offense, but the pitching.

So far, while Kevin Millwood and Jeremy Guthrie have been working out the kinks in their repertoire to prepare for Opening Day, the real beacon of hope is coming from the arms of Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman and Brad Bergesen.

Matusz, this spring as evidenced by his start against Philadelphia -- with their ‘A’ lineup – on Sunday looks more like a veteran on the mound than a youngster.

Although some guy who will eventually be playing down the Baltimore-Washington Parkway – um, Stephen Strasburg – has gotten the lion’s share of the hype concerning prospects, the media should not overlook Matusz.

He’ll be entering his first full year in the majors, and most expect big things from him. Obviously, it’s hard to say how Matusz will do this season; however, with a full season under his belt, and the potential he’s shown so far, it would not be impossible to think that he could win anywhere from 12 to 15 games.

As for Tillman, he got knocked around a bit last season, but his first go-round in Baltimore was indeed a learning experience. He’s looked good so far in Spring Training, looking far more consistent with his pitches on the mound and getting guys out.

For now, he’s the fifth starter if he doesn’t blow it. Tillman may be slightly behind when it comes to Matusz’s skill, but with his size, height and ability, there’s no reason to believe he cannot become a solid to better-than average major league pitcher.

The same could be said about Bergesen, whose year ended due to injury. While Bergesen may not have the physical gifts of Matusz or Tillman, he’s got something that’s critical – smarts on the mound.

There are many pitchers in the majors who can throw 100 mph; however, Brad can get by and become successful because he’s got a great intangible – the ability to pitch, learn from your mistakes and intelligence. There have been plenty of guys who have become through Baltimore with a golden arm, but not the ability to understand pitching.

If the three young arms can learn from what they did last year and translate the lesson learned into next season and beyond, there’s no reason to think why the Orioles can’t be successful.

It’s a little over three weeks before the 2010 season begins and Brian Roberts has still not played in an exhibition season game.

I’d like to say that the fact Roberts’ has not seen any live action this spring may not be a big deal; however, it may be turning into one.

Brian’s been recovering from a herniated disk, taking part in workouts and has been in Florida – but, now he’s flying back to Baltimore to see a back specialist at Johns Hopkins University.

Everyone seems to be towing the company line and says Roberts should be ready for the season – at least for now.

I’ve had back issues in my life, and I’m far from being a professional athlete, but as it is right now, I see Roberts perhaps being put on the disabled list to start the season.

Roberts looks like he wants to undoubtedly play; however, he’s missed quite a bit of time so far and perhaps that the second baseman may just need more rest .

If he does miss Opening Day, we might see Ty Wigginton, Robert Andino or perhaps someone like Justin Tuner play there for some time. However, the lineup -- especially at the top of the order -- will no doubt be impacted.

I’d say even if Roberts does find himself ready to go this season, he will not play in every game and find himself out of the lineup sparingly as precaution (or unless his back heals).

Moving on...

That being said, it looks like a lot of fans are worried for the Orioles heading into the 2010 season. In the past week, Jeremy Guthrie and Kevin Millwood got hammered, new closer Mike Gonzalez is hurting, and it seems that many are worried. For now, I’d say hold it; however, if the Orioles by the last week of March are still struggling, it would not be good, no matter what anyone says.

Let’s not overlook the team has been showing a lot of power, and both Tillman and Matusz are looking solid, Uehara has a new home in the ‘pen, plus Bergesen is healthy.

Then again, seeing the Orioles only having won two games into Grapefruit League season (considering the games don’t count) is a little disheartening.

Sigh, but the early schedule is a pain…

Orioles Spring Training got off to a great start, but the Orioles have struggled recently. Losing skids in ST are not usually something to worry about but still it would be nice to see the Orioles winning games.

Players seem to be progressing well enough. As Anthony pointed out in his discussion of Josh Bell, the roster is largely set so all that really matters for this team is that everyone be healthy and at "game speed" by April. But even that has been a problem. Brian Roberts has yet to play in an exhibition game. Sidelined by a slight herniated disk in his back, and a bad reaction to medications for said back, Roberts' lack of playing time has led to a bit of consternation in Birdland.

The official line from the head office and Roberts himself is that the veteran second baseman will be ready for Opening Day but every day that Roberts is not in a game is a day of lost preparation. And Opening Day is fast approaching. Now, Brian is a veteran who takes very good care of himself and he arguably does not need the reps that a younger player would require but I for one will not be comfortable until I see him in the field diving for grounders. He has been doing everything else that a regular player would be doing, but we need to see Roberts in a game.

The Orioles have been losing recently, today's game against the Yankees had the same result. Jeremey Guthrie got hit around in the first inning today, as the Yankees batted around and collected three runs on their way to a 5-3 victory.

We need to remember that these games are practice and pitchers are working on specific things, the fielders making errors aren't the players we will be seeing in April and the pitchers giving up late leads will not be travelling north to Baltimore in three weeks. However after awhile these platitudes begin to ring hollow as even the most jaded statistician of a fan wants to see their team in the win column.

But fear not fellow O's fans - April will soon be here. Baltimore has traded snow for an alluvial rainstorm this weekend, the temps are rising and the sun will return. The home opener on April ninth is a day I know the entire area is awaiting with great anticipation.

Haven't ordered your official Oriolepost swag yet? You need to preorder by the end of the week to guarantee delivery by the home-opener. The first batch will be sent off to the printers with the first order. Once that first order is gobbled up, and they should go quickly judging by the number of hits the post received, then there is almost no chance of having it by 4/9. Just click the ad on the right.

Order now and let's paint the town orange the first weekend in April!

It was finally good to see Brad Bergesen back on the mound Wednesday night. Despite the young hurler being unsatisfied with his outing – where the Orioles won against the Pirates – it was a very good sign to see that he was not hurting at all.

It looks like Brad’s knee and shoulder are fine; therefore, he’s rearing to go and forge ahead into the new season.

With about a few more weeks to go before the Orioles play the Rays to start the 162 game regular season marathon, fans are hoping Bergesen can move on from his injury and get the Orioles closer to respectability.

On the other hand, Millwood’s performance the following night was a little disturbing. While it is a bit early to be concerned with the veteran pitcher, two consecutive bad starts in Florida have raised a few eyebrows.

Milwood gave up five runs in 2 2/3 innings on Thursday in a loss to the Twins and he’s not too worried with the result. Much like after his first start, his struggles may not be a big deal, but if it continues, I’d be tad concerned.

Kevin’s got a track record as a veteran in the regular season and knows his body over the years, so let’s hope the struggles end up to be just talk than reality.

Moving on…

This week, the Oriole Post along with several other prominent bloggers and writers were asked a question by the Hot Stove website about the Orioles. The question this week was centered around Josh Bell and if he’s going to make the Orioles’ 25-man roster out of camp in Florida.

As hot as Josh Bell has been at the plate – at least in the first week, he will not be on the Opening Day roster at all. In light of Josh's early success at the plate this Spring, the Orioles for now will try to have him dominate in Triple-A Norfolk.

Right now, the third baseman needs to work on his switch hitting and as well as his fielding.

Granted, his future is with his bat, so he's not expected to become the next Brooks Robinson; however, the team will not rush him at all and will make him prove that he belongs as a Baltimore Oriole. If Josh Bell has a good first half in the minors, then he may be brought up in the second half of 2010, or when rosters expand in September. He may also be held back from the majors until 2011.

Matt Wieters is going to be the cover story for this week's issue of Sports Illustrated.

According to the magazine, Wieters will be the first Oriole to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated in more then 13 years. The story was written by SI Senior Writer, Tom Verducci.