Thursday Bird Droppings: Where our tendons are doing just fine

Hello, friends.

There are now 18 days remaining until Orioles Opening Day. That is Felix Pie days until Opening Day, or, if you prefer, Jeff Conine days. It's not long now, though hopefully it's long enough for Matt Wieters to have an opportunity to heal up.

If you're in the Baltimore area, you are spared of having to listen to or watch today's contest. It will be available only on MLB.com radio.

Here's your news roundup from around Birdland for this Thursday...

Ubaldo Jimenez shows more progress in Orioles' win over Twins - carrollcountytimes.com
It says Carroll County Times, but it's really from the Baltimore Sun. It's magic. It's about Ubaldo Jimenez.

School of Roch: Jimenez: "I felt good about what I did out there" (O's win 3-2)
Jimenez in his own words, as recorded by MASN's Roch Kubatko following Wednesday's non-disaster of an outing.

Orioles Ryan Flaherty '100 percent' after beaning - Baltimore Sun
Flaherty was hit in the head with a pitch on Tuesday, but all tests show that he is doing A-OK. He credits newer batting helmets.

Notes: Veterans must produce if Yankees are going to compete | FOX Sports
Most of this article is about stuff that has nothing to do with the Orioles, but Rosenthal also addresses the Brian Matusz trade rumors that have been flying around for a couple of days. The Orioles might be willing to eat some cash to trade him to the Mets. I hear the Mets could probably use a little cash as they just had to settle a lawsuit.

The lone former Oriole with a birthday today is Rocky Coppinger, who was the hot O's pitching prospect of his day and ended up with a career 5.47 big league ERA. Some things never change.

And that's the way it is in Birdland on March 19 - or at least, until something happens later. Have you heard it's going to snow soon? I'm tired of snow for this winter. Have a safe Thursday.