"This guy has had the time of his life here and was grateful and appreciative," Trembley said.
Roberts selected
Second baseman Brian Roberts will join Team USA in Miami for the second round of the World Baseball Classic. The spot opened because of an injury to the Boston Red Sox's Dustin Pedroia.
Roberts' absence means the Orioles will be missing three-fourths of their starting infield, with Melvin Mora and Cesar Izturis playing for Venezuela.
Johnson shut down
Reliever Jim Johnson, considered a key part of the Orioles' bullpen, has been shelved for at least a week with an impingement in his throwing shoulder, similar to the injury that sidelined him late last season. Johnson told MLB.com he felt some soreness in the shoulder during his last exhibition appearance.
Around the horn:
Right fielder Nick Markakis was in the clubhouse after the birth of his first child, Taylor, on Thursday. ... Rich Hill will throw from a mound today. ... Right-hander Koji Uehara (left hamstring strain) jogged lightly, rode a stationary bike and played catch but doesn't know when he'll be able to run or pitch.
Baltimore Sun reporter Jeff Zrebiec contributed to this article.
FLYING OUT
The wind was blowing out of Fort Lauderdale Stadium, and so were baseballs during the Orioles' 9-8 victory over the Red Sox yesterday. Donnie Murphy had the most dramatic of six home runs by the Orioles - a solo shot in the bottom of the ninth to give them a win over the Boston Red Sox. In the Orioles' 15 previous Grapefruit League games, they had a total of eight homers. Felix Pie and Nick Markakis hit their first homers of the spring, Nolan Reimold hit his second and Justin Turner hit two - his second and third of the month.
TURNER EXCELLING
Turner, a versatile infield prospect acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in the Ramon Hernandez deal, is trying to force his way into the utility infielder picture, and he had another big day. He blasted the two home runs and had three RBIs in a 2-for-4 performance that raised his Grapefruit League average to .385. "It seems like he gets a couple of hits every game," manager Dave Trembley said. Trembley dodged a question about whether Turner is in the running for the final utility spot but said he has made a great early impression with his ability to drive fastballs and play several positions.
ON DECK
The Orioles have rare back-to-back trips to Fort Myers, Fla., starting today with a game against the Red Sox. Brian Bass, Chris Waters and Wilfrido Perez will pitch. The Orioles' hitters will face four members of the Red Sox's 2008 staff: Clay Buchholz, Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima and Manny Delcarmen. The Orioles will return home and bus back across Alligator Alley to Fort Myers again tomorrow to face the Minnesota Twins.
DAN CONNOLLY
