Orioles pitcher Gallardo still waiting on test results
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) The Baltimore Orioles were hopeful Yovani Gallardo would be getting acclimated to the team by now.
But the status of the newly acquired right-hander is still unclear as the Orioles await the results of additional medical tests they ordered. Gallardo's physical began on Monday.
The pitcher agreed to a three-year, $35 million deal on Saturday, and on Wednesday night, he and the team agreed on a restructured contract for two years and $22 million with an $11 million option.
Earlier Wednesday, the Orioles didn't shed much light on Gallardo's situation.
''It's kind of being respectful of the process, and our guys will do a good job with it and we'll see where it goes,'' manager Buck Showalter said. ''I know everything I need to know. My focus is on the people who are here. If somebody else shows up we'll move forward with it.''
While Baltimore waited on Gallardo, who will turn 30 on Saturday, it was apparently close to adding free agent outfielder Dexter Fowler.
Showalter wasn't interested in discussing the negotiations or the test.
''I'm focused on those guys in our clubhouse and see what happens,'' the manager said. ''I like our club whether they come or not.''
Centerfielder Adam Jones, who publicly campaigned for an aggressive stance in free agency in the offseason, said he has spoken with Fowler, who was with the Chicago Cubs last season.
''He's excited. He should be on his way now. I know he was a little frustrated with the process of free agency. Trust me, he isn't the only one,'' Jones said. ''Players with contracts are frustrated with the whole free agency process.''
Jones is pleased with the direction of the Orioles.
''I don't know about the uncertainty about Gallardo, but I know we've got Fowler,'' Jones said. ''So I think we're just constantly improving and not just improving on the field, but mentally.
''That adds a lot of experience. Both of them have been in the postseason, been in big games, big moments, so we want to have them do it with us.''
Baltimore's first scheduled full-squad workout was curtailed by rain on Wednesday. Pitchers were able to throw in a covered area. Showalter said the first several days of camp had been uneventful.
New outfielders Hyun-soo Kim and Mark Trumbo have taken the time to get to know their teammates while Chris Davis, Darren O'Day and Matt Wieters, all free agents in the offseason, have returned.
''These are the years we need to do something. We have a great mix of the young talent with the veteran talent, and the young talent acts like veteran talent,'' Jones said. ''I just think this is a good time for us. We have a good team. We just need to get through this camp, play good ball in spring training, get through the things that we need to get to, and knock on wood the season just goes the way it did in 2014.''