FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -Rich Hill emerged from his first bullpen session in about two weeks shaking hands and smiling after what he called a "very positive day."
Hill, whom the Orioles acquired from the Chicago Cubs this offseason and envisioned occupying a middle spot in their rotation, threw 26 pitches, just about all fastballs, in a side session and reported no discomfort in his left elbow, which has prevented him from pitching in any Grapefruit League games.
But the questions remain about whether Hill will be healthy and fit enough to join a rotation that has only two spots settled three weeks before the Orioles open the season against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards.
"There is a doubt," pitching coach Rick Kranitz said. "We're three weeks away. This particular time, I like to get guys about 25 innings. ... You have to be able to log some innings to get out there and know he's going to be able to perform. The last thing I want to do is put him out there before he is ready to go. ... I thought [today] was great. For the first time, he came out and threw the ball very well. It was very good, very encouraging for me."
Hill has no such reservations about his readiness, saying there is "no doubt" that he'll be fine for the start of the regular season.
"I really feel good right now," Hill said. "There's just enough time in spring training where I can get the innings in. As good as I feel today, I feel like I can go out and pitch."
Hill, however, is running out of time. He's expected to throw another side session tomorrow, which will be a day off for the rest of the Orioles. That Hill and Kranitz are reporting to Fort Lauderdale Stadium during the one scheduled day off of the seven-week spring training camp shows how much of a priority getting the left-hander ready for the season has become.
If Hill gets through the side session, which will include throwing all his pitches and not just his fastball, he'll pitch batting practice Thursday or Friday. That means if he continues to experience no soreness in his elbow, Hill won't make his Orioles Grapefruit League debut before Sunday. That leaves him only two weeks to get ready for the regular season.
At this point, the reality is that if Hill makes the Opening Day rotation, he'll probably have to pitch out of the fifth spot. Because the Orioles have a day off after their season opener, they have the luxury of skipping the No. 5 spot in the rotation the first time around, giving Hill a little more time to build his arm strength.
