clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Saturday Bird Droppings: Day two of Orioles spring training

The Orioles had their first pitchers and catchers workout, though many position players were there as well. The Travis Snider trade was completed, and we're still waiting on Alejandro De Aza's arbitration. Your Saturday news and links.

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Hello, friends.

There are now 44 days until Orioles Opening Day. Pitchers and catchers are there, working out, doing things. Fielding practice, bullpen sessions, sprints and stretches. It's all happening.

Before you get started on your Saturday dose of Orioles news, let's all take a moment and reflect on the loss that everyone who grew up with a crush on Hermione Granger must face after hearing the news that Emma Watson is apparently dating Prince Harry of English royal fame. There is nothing you can do to compete with that. Sorry, fellows.

And now your weekend-opening links...

Orioles' Matt Wieters believes he'll have enough time behind the plate to be ready for Opening Day - Baltimore Sun
I'd feel a whole lot better if this was certainty rather than belief. Wieters isn't going to catch a spring training game until March 17. Opening Day is not long after that.

Orioles begin spring training with field of questions (USA Today)
Oh, look, another national publication parachutes in to talk about the Orioles.

Spring training practice begins, despite the chilly weather - Sarasota News | Mysuncoast.com and ABC 7: News
Even local news stations in Sarasota are getting in on the act!

Showalter after the first workout - MASN (Roch Kubatko)
Buck offered his thoughts on the day's activities. Unsurprisingly, he was upbeat about everything. There are a few good pictures in this article as well.

Elsewhere around the SB Nation MLB network, our Pirates blog counterparts reacted to Steven Brault being made the PTBNL in the Travis Snider trade:

Pirates receive Steven Brault from Orioles to complete Travis Snider trade - Bucs Dugout
It seems like Bucs Dugout Charlie would have rather kept Snider around.

One lone former Oriole has a birthday today: Tom Shopay, who was around in 1971-72 and again from 1975-77, mostly as a pinch hitter. It's also the birthday of never-quite-Oriole Tsuyoshi Wada.

There are no noteworthy transactions on this day in Orioles history.

And that's the way it is in BIrdland on February 21 - at least, unless something happens later. Expect an announcement as to who won Alejandro De Aza's arbitration hearing at some point during the day, probably when I am eating, because that's how blogging works. Have a safe Saturday.