Brady Anderson

Catcher Taylor Teagarden underwent an epidural injection in his lower back this morning and his chances of being ready by Opening Day is “in jeopardy,” said Orioles manager Buck Showalter during his pre-game meeting with the media on Wednesday. Teagarden has been dealing with back issues and saw a specialist on Tuesday. He has been diagnosed with a slight tear of the ligament that supports the disk in his back. He will be rest for three days, and if all goes well he'll be able to begin hydrotherapy and spine stability treatment.

Orioles left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada, who has yet to throw a Grapefruit League pitch this spring because of left elbow discomfort, threw a two-inning simulated game on the back fields of the Ed Smith Stadium complex Wednesday morning. Wada threw 33 pitches to hitters Jai Miller and Scott Beerer, as well as special assistant Brady Anderson, during the session, which Orioles pitching coach Rick Adair said went well. “He was real good,” Adair said. “I don't know what the velocity was, but the ball was jumping out of his hand.

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts said Wednesday morning that he has more good days than bad in his recovery from multiple concussions. Roberts is gradually beginning to do more baseball work on the back fields of the Ed Smith Stadium complex. He has begun taking live batting practice from coaches, and for the past week, he has been working with former Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick, taking ground balls. He's also doing running and stretching activities with special assistant Brady Anderson.

Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts said Wednesday morning that he has more good days than bad in his recovery from multiple concussions. Roberts is gradually doing more baseball work. He has begun taking live batting practice from coaches and for the past week has been working with former Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick , fielding ground balls. He has also been doing running and stretching activities with special assistant Brady Anderson . The next step in Roberts' progression — which would seemingly be hitting live batting practice against Orioles pitchers — isn't as clear.

Three critical cogs of the Orioles' pitching staff spent Tuesday morning on the back fields of the Ed Smith Stadium complex. While the Orioles' travel squad was on its way to Fort Myers to play the Boston Red Sox for an afternoon game at JetBlue Park, right-hander Tommy Hunter , left-hander Zach Britton and right-hander Jim Johnson — all rehabilitating injuries this spring — participated in a simulated game in Sarasota. For the trio, this was their first time pitching in game scenarios.

Nolan Reimold didn't have to wait long to find out if Orioles manager Buck Showalter was thinking seriously about him hitting in the leadoff spot if veteran leadoff man Brian Roberts is not ready to start the season . Reimold was at the top of the lineup when the Orioles opened their home exhibition schedule against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night at Ed Smith Stadium. Showalter said Sunday that he was weighing all the possibilities, but Reimold seemed like the most obvious, based on his career numbers and his overall skill set. He might not look like a typical leadoff man. He's a big, rangy guy with good power, which are qualities that lend themselves more to a place in the middle of the order, but Showalter liked the way Reimold extended at-bats last year and sees him as someone who can be a solid on-base threat.

SARASOTA, Fla -- It's been a pretty slow day here at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. There's not too much going on, especially coming off yesterday's newsy day. But here's what we've got: -- Orioles right-hander Jason Berken said he feels better than yesterday but remains shut down from baseball activities Saturday. He injured his left hamstring during running drills Thursday. He was walking around the clubhouse today with a pretty heavy limp and his left thigh heavily wrapped.

Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz said he's put last season's struggles behind him and feels he's become a better pitcher having gone through them. Matusz looked impressive in his first public bullpen session Wednesday. Catcher Matt Wieters said it looked like Matusz's mechanics had improved and he regained his 2010 form. “I felt good,” Matusz said. “I felt nice and loose. The ball was coming out of my hand with no effort and it was coming out nice. I feel like the stuff is there.

UPDATE: Wilson Betemit's deal is for $3 million over two years, but the value can grow to $6 million with a 2014 vesting option based on performance incentives, according to an industry source. The Orioles made their signing of infielder Wilson Betemit official -- the club's realease is below. The only news is that the team has designated right-hander Rick VandenHurk for assignment. VandenHurk, 26, joined last year's team when rosters expanded Sept. 1. He was 0-0 with an 8.00 ERA in nine innings (two starts)

The returning Orioles pitchers welcome the unspoken message to them. Executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette spent the offseason focusing on starting pitching, acquiring left-handers Wei-Yin Chen, Tsuyoshi Wada and Dana Eveland. That makes for a crowded staff. As of now, the Orioles' list of starting rotation candidates is in double digits, which will create intense competition come spring training. “I think they know it's time to you-know-what or get off the pot,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said at Saturday's FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center.