--RF Nick Markakis was not under consideration to pitch in Wednesday's series finale against Texas. Despite a 19-6 deficit, Orioles manager Dave Trembley would not consider calling upon the former college ace to eat up innings, MASNsports.com reported.
--RHP Dennis Sarfate had difficulty focusing during his 3 1/3 scoreless innings Tuesday, MLB.com reported, because he was on medication to battle an ear infection. Sarfate said he "was on Cloud Nine," and noted Thursday's off day couldn't have come at a better time. --LHP Rich Hill, visiting the team in Arlington, Texas, threw a side session Tuesday. Hill, rehabbing a sore left elbow, next will throw two-inning stints in extended spring training in Florida on Friday and Sunday before the team determines his subsequent destination.
BY THE NUMBERS: 13 -- American League teams that employed Japanese-born players before the Orioles. RHP Koji Uehara enabled the Orioles to join the rest of the junior circuit, while the Reds, Marlins and Diamondbacks have never had a Japanese-born player on their big-league rosters.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "What I like is all three have the ability to do a variety of things. They can work the count -- and that's something (Adam Jones) is getting better at -- they can walk and they can use the other side of the field." -- Orioles manager Dave Trembley on his top third of the lineup: Brian Roberts, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis.
