Cuban defector outfielder Henry Urrutia, displaced in Haiti since the Orioles signed him to a $778,500 bonus in the summer, is expected to report to the club’s minor league facility at Twin Lakes Park some time this weekend.
“There’s a lot of unknown about what kind of shape he’s in,” Showalter said, “in more ways than one, parasites, other stuff you need to rule out.”
Showalter said Urrutia hasn’t received his bonus and won’t until he passes the club’s physical, which could take two or three days.
“He hasn’t been paid yet,” Showalter said. “He doesn’t get paid a penny until everything passes. It’s cash and carry here. I’m looking forward to getting him in. I know he is.”
The Orioles hoped to send Urrutia to Double-A Bowie last season, but he was held up by problems obtaining a work visa.
Around the horn
With two hits Thursday, third baseman Manny Machado is 4-for-7 this spring. Add three walks, and he has reached base in seven of his 10 plate appearances. … Catcher Chris Robinson, who is leaving the team Sunday to play for Canada in the World Baseball Classic, had two hits in his first spring start. … Right-hander Tommy Hunter, who was supposed to pitch two or three innings Thursday, has been pushed back to Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte. ... He will pitch after Wei-Yin Chen and Brian Matusz. Hunter threw a light side sesion Thursday.
“There’s a lot of unknown about what kind of shape he’s in,” Showalter said, “in more ways than one, parasites, other stuff you need to rule out.”
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Showalter said Urrutia hasn’t received his bonus and won’t until he passes the club’s physical, which could take two or three days.
“He hasn’t been paid yet,” Showalter said. “He doesn’t get paid a penny until everything passes. It’s cash and carry here. I’m looking forward to getting him in. I know he is.”
The Orioles hoped to send Urrutia to Double-A Bowie last season, but he was held up by problems obtaining a work visa.
Around the horn
With two hits Thursday, third baseman Manny Machado is 4-for-7 this spring. Add three walks, and he has reached base in seven of his 10 plate appearances. … Catcher Chris Robinson, who is leaving the team Sunday to play for Canada in the World Baseball Classic, had two hits in his first spring start. … Right-hander Tommy Hunter, who was supposed to pitch two or three innings Thursday, has been pushed back to Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte. ... He will pitch after Wei-Yin Chen and Brian Matusz. Hunter threw a light side sesion Thursday.
