The Orioles' roster on opening day will be much different than the one that takes the field in July, let alone in 2010. The rotation has only two guaranteed members, and the starting lineup has two veteran hitters -- Aubrey Huff and Melvin Mora -- in the final year of their respective contracts. The highlight of the 2009 season will be the impending promotion of top prospect Matt Wieters, a 22-year-old switch-hitting catcher who is due in Baltimore before June.
PLAYER NEWS: --3B Melvin Mora got Thursday afternoon off, as many veterans under manager Dave Trembley often do in day games after night games. Mora has been battling a sore hamstring, and he was held out Thursday as a precaution.
--INF/OF Ty Wiggington made his first start at third base Thursday, and went 1-for-4 as the No. 5 hitter. Wiggington's ability to play both corners will prevent 1B Aubrey Huff from having to spell Mora at third, which he did about twice a month in 2008.
--C Chad Moeller made his first start of 2009 in Thursday's afternoon game, going 2-for-3 with a double. Until prospect Matt Wieters is recalled later this spring, Moeller likely will catch when RHP Alfredo Simon pitches or when the club plays a day game after a night game.
MEDICAL WATCH:
LHP Rich Hill (left elbow soreness) went on the 15-day disabled list March 29. He might return in mid-April.
LHP John Parrish (small tear in left shoulder) will not pitch in 2009. He was in camp on a minor league contract.
ROTATION:
1. RHP Jeremy Guthrie
2. RHP Koji Uehara
3. RHP Alfredo Simon
4. LHP Mark Hendrickson
BULLPEN:
LHP George Sherrill (closer)
RHP Chris Ray
RHP Jim Johnson
RHP Dennis Sarfate
LHP Jamie Walker
RHP Matt Albers
RHP Danys Baez
RHP Brian Bass
LINEUP:
1. 2B Brian Roberts
2. CF Adam Jones
3. RF Nick Markakis
4. 1B Aubrey Huff
5. 3B Melvin Mora
6. DH Luke Scott
7. C Gregg Zaun
8. LF Felix Pie
9. SS Cesar Izturis
RESERVES:
1B/3B Ty Wiggington
C Chad Moeller
INF/OF Ryan Freel
INF Robert Andino
