Spring Training quick hits

A few quick notes from today’s workout…

*Justin Duchscherer threw about 40 pitches today in a bullpen session and said afterwards that he mixed in all four pitches and felt good. If healthy, manager Buck Showalter said Duchscherer projects as a guy “high up” in the team’s rotation. I’d guess after Jeremy Guthrie, it would go Brian Matusz and then Duke, but you could see a scenario where they could flip those last two guys as well. Showalter has seen a lot of Duchscherer (back when he was healthy) from being in the American League West.

*I blogged yesterday about Luis Lebron being restricted in camp, but not as much as Brandon Erbe. Lebron got up on the mound today and threw a bullpen.
 
*Showalter spent a long time today talking with catcher Matt Wieters out on the back fields, and he commented today on Wieters’ offseason conditioning having him in good shape. Wieters sent a ball flying out of the Camden Yards simulated field, while batting left-handed, during batting practice.

*More position players showed up today to take batting practice. Among them were Brian Roberts, Joe Mahoney and Brendan Harris. Brandon Snyder’s here as well.

*Rick VandenHurk is another interesting case to watch. He’s out of options this spring and right now is fighting to make the team — either as a starter or as a reliever. Pitching coach Mark Connor has been working with him closely to straighten out some mechanical issues, and placed a rosin bag under his foot during VandenHurk’s side session. That technique was to prevent him from putting too much weight on his heel.

*This has come up a bunch but Showalter continued to reiterate that Jim Johnson and Jason Berken will be viewed as relievers.