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.

The Orioles have had six straight losses in Spring Training, including an awful error-filled game in a loss to the Rays on Tuesday. Does it mean much, no. Players are simply trying to get their work in and get ready for the season; however, if you're a pitcher on the fringes, a backup guy trying to stay in the big leagues, or a minor leaguer trying to get a look from the organization - this time of year is important.

Still it doesn't look good when the team has lost six straight in exhibition season. Then again, let's hope things get figured out with the Orioles before the season begins.

Now, it also seems that Brian Roberts may not be ready for Opening Day according to reports. If that's true, it's a major blow to the Orioles. Most of us know that the second baseman has been out due to a back issue, but it seems like the medicine Roberts has been taking made him ill.

Roberts, who has a herniated disk in his back and then got sick as a result of the medication he was taking to ease the inflammation, hasn't played in a game all spring, and now he has been shut down until at least Thursday.

"I talked to Richie Bancells, our head athletic trainer, about it again today, and at this time he still thinks Brian is going to be ready for Opening Day, but you have to be concerned now," MacPhail said. "To me, you get 10 days into spring training before you start really paying attention, but the clock is starting to be an issue. ... By now, we have to start thinking about, 'What if he isn't ready?' "

MacPhail said he might start having his scouts look at who is available on the trade market along with exploring internal options.

Roberts started taking an oral medication Sunday and became ill. He reported to Ed Smith Stadium on Tuesday but spent much of the day in the training room. The two-time All-Star will be re-evaluated Thursday, but he's at least a week away from getting into a game.

Not good. I'd say give Brian all the time he needs to get healthy at this point. He's one of the cornerstones with the franchise, and it's better if he were 100 percent later, than playing at 80 percent in the near future.

Also, the Orioles extended the contracts of several players including Adam Jones, Matt Wieters, Jason Berken & Nolan Reimold. It seems everyone took the deal as it was -- a business decision, despite how they feel about how their pay realistically compared with their performance.

The Orioles announced Tuesday that the remaining unsigned players in camp have come to terms, but not everyone came along voluntarily. The club exercised its right under Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement and renewed the contracts of Adam Jones, Matt Wieters, Nolan Reimold and Jason Berken after negotiations failed to produce agreement on their 2010 salaries.

The union contract allows a team to pay its "zero-to-three" players (players with less than three years of major league service) any amount, so long as it does not tender a contract for less than the major league minimum salary or cut a player's previous salary more than 20 percent. But that doesn't mean team officials enjoy putting that hammer down.

The renewal of contracts of young players is just procedural and is part of the business aspect of the game, as Jones, Reimold, Berken and Wieters have all had less than three years of major league tenure.

It's no big deal. Most players have gone through the same process. A few years ago, Nick Markakis complained publicly about the process -- yes, it sucked -- however, in the end, he and the team came out to a nice long term deal and life went on.

Everything will change though once everyone reaches arbitration, and the better they perform, the money they will get. I would expect the team to start talking with Adam Jones on a contract fairly soon.

Finally, I recieved an en email from a represenative at Major League Baseball noting that the blackout has been lifted in the Orioles' local television market for MLB Network's simulcast of the Orioles at Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training game today at 7:00 p.m. ET. MLB Network will carry Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh's call of the game.

So that's another game for us to watch live during the exhibition season. Good to see.

Get them while they are hot. The early buzz for the shirts has been great and it is finally time to go live. I am now taking pre-orders for the first printing going out later this month.

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The Orioles may have lost last night to the Pirates, 5-3, in Spring Training action; however, Chris Tillman is indeed healthy and free of back issues. The hurler threw two perfect innings and struck out three -- a very good sign. The team has continued doing it the plate, as Adam Jones homered (a solo shot), plus both Robert Andino and Luke Scott drove in runs. Garrett Atkins was 2-for-2 with a double and triple.

Pitcher Mike Gonzalez was shaky as he allowed a run on two hits in an inning of work. Alfredo Simon -- who's on the comeback trail -- took the loss as he gave up two runs in the top of ninth on the mound.

Everyone is still raving on the work of third baseman Josh Bell, but he's more than likely still going to start the season in the minors. Miguel Tejada, who people were worried about playing the hot corner has looked fine so far and made a real nice play last night to assist Tillman.

Moving on...

Luke Scott has always been sort of a quandary to me. The designated hitter/first baseman/left fielder for the past few season in Baltimore has been a player who must be the streakiest I've ever seen put on a uniform. Despite that, I do think he's a player who tries his best and for that he's a fan favorite.

As evidenced by last year, Luke can carry a team on his own for extended periods of time with his bat, or can into a prologned slump (much like what fans saw at the end of the season). There were reumors of him being mentioned in various deals, but none of them came into fruition.

Of course, Scott's value isn't with his glove, but his bat. As it is, I'm not sure if he's a part of the future when it comes to Orioles; however, he's still very much a servicable bat on the roster. Now, the issue is whether he can hit on a consistent basis. In the first half of the season, he looked like an All-Star, bopping 18 homers and hitting north of .300 at the break; therefore, if he can just maintain that ability six months of the season, he could help the Orioles immensely.

The team has tried having Luke play left field and first, but with the emergence of Pie and Reimold, plus the acquisition of Atkins -- he's the designated hitter. I'd rather have someone more consistent at that position, but Luke's ability at the plate -- when he's on -- makes him the most viable player to be there.

I don't know if Scott is an everyday player, or someone who would be more useful playing several times a week based on the numbers I have seen over the years.

Right now, I think the Luke Scott we have seen in Baltimore is what he is. I don't know if he should be dealt, but if he struggles, one of the younger guys should be given a shot to take over gain playing time.

The Orioles had a heck of a start to the exhibition season with a 12-2 whomping of the Rays.

Top prospect Josh Bell hit two homeruns, one from each side of the plate; Nick Markakis hit a homer, firstbase prospect Rhyne Hughes hit two; third base prospect Scott Moore hit one as well. The Orioles pitchers had a great day, Jeremy Guthrie was in top form and the only hiccups came with Safarte and Hernandez each giving up a run.

Miggy had his first game at third and it was a mixed bag. Tejada had an error on a ball that skirted under his glove as he attempted to catch the short hop. He made the first play that came to him however and he has plenty of time to get into gear at third.

Nolan Reimold did not play today. He is game ready but the Orioles are treating him gingerly as he recovers from achilles tendon surgery. I don't think it is anything to be worried about right now but I will feel a lot better when I see Reimold starting in left field. Brad Bergesen still doesn't have a set day to begin his exhibition season, Dave Trembley said that he wants Bergy to get one more bullpen session under his belt.

The Orioles had a great start to the exhibition year. Hopefully it is an omen of things to come.

Boxscore

It's great to see that the exhibition season is finally under way. The Orioles played an intrasquad game on Monday, but the real action is finally getting under way.

The Orioles kick off Grapefruit League action in Sarasota on Wednesday afternoon against the Rays, and it's needless to say, everyone is glad to truly be playing live baseball.

Manager Dave Trembley wants to get a good look at everyone and his starters will be the game for five innings, until the subs come in. Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie will start the action on the mound.

It also looks like Brian Roberts is on the mend, and is ramping up his batting practice sessions; therefore, from the looks of things, he should be fine in the weeks and days ahead. On the pitching front, Brad Bergesen is also looking impressive in his bullpen sessions.

Meanwhile, several pitchers (the youngsters and incumbents alike) are looking to perform their best to make the Opening Day roster, and everyone also wants to take an extended look at Josh Bell, plus Miguel Tejada at third.

Don't know if you all got to see today's USA Today website, but there's a fascinating article about the Mitchell Report. Writers Bob Nightengale, Jorge Ortiz and Paul White all contribute to the article and were able to get five current players to speak about their inclusion in the report.

Amazingly, there are only ten players who were in the report itself currently on MLB rosters.

The players included were reliever Eric Gagne, catcher Gregg Zaun, designated hitter Jack Cust, pitcher Matt Herges, and shortstop Miguel Tejada. All the players seem to be regretful for ever being on the list or ever partaking drug use, although it's varied depending who was asked. However, it's a little eye opening how candid each person got in their answers, but in the end, they all knew the game was sullied and in a way glad it's been cleaned up to an extent.

It's amazing how the Mitchell Report still resonates today in the game. Although Major League Baseball has taken serious steps to curtail drug use and gain credibility in the eyes of its fans, there's no getting around this fact -- drug use is now, and will be forever an indelible part of the game's (proud -- plus, sometimes sordid) history.