For Roberts, Recovery Is A Quick Hit

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 28 -- Only five weeks ago, the Baltimore Orioles wondered whether Brian Roberts would be ready for Opening Day. Now, less than a week before the season, the second baseman has become Baltimore's best hitter, leading Manager Sam Perlozzo to rethink his plan of occasionally resting him.

On Tuesday, Roberts played in his fifth consecutive game and had two hits, which raised his average this spring to .417.

"That's a credit to Brian," Perlozzo said. "This kid, after major surgery, busted his tail. I can't say enough about the effort he's made for us."

Roberts believes his timing is nearly back to normal and he has yet to feel any ill effects after having elbow surgery in September. Perlozzo had said he wanted to rest Roberts often during the early part of the season; now it appears Perlozzo may leave him in the lineup.

"I haven't seen anything that would cause me to think he isn't 100 percent," Perlozzo said.

Roberts said it's too early to tell if he will need some rest.

"Obviously with the weather being colder you don't know how it would react," Roberts said. "But I don't see any issues at this point."

Millar to Catch?

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With the decision to place catcher Geronimo Gil on waivers, the Orioles will have only two catchers on the roster to start the season. One of them, Javy Lopez, is expected to play more often at first base, meaning there would be a need for an emergency third catcher.

Asked who that would be, Perlozzo smiled and said Kevin Millar would fill the role.

"He volunteered and said he's done it before as an emergency situation," Perlozzo said.

Millar, who plays in the outfield and at first base, said he first tried catching professionally in 1996 in the Instructional League with the Florida Marlins at the suggestion of then-coach John Boles, who advised the first baseman that it would be the best way to get to and stay in the majors. Millar, who had played catcher occasionally in high school, said he caught several bullpen sessions in 1997 and served as the Marlins' emergency catcher from 1998 to 2002, although he never appeared in a game.

"I've begged to catch in a major league game and they haven't let me," Millar said. . . .

The Orioles have yet to announce Gil's fate, though it is unlikely he was claimed off waivers before Tuesday's 1 p.m. deadline because he was in uniform for the Orioles' 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Baltimore is expected to announce Wednesday whether Gil will be released or reassigned.

Pickoff Problems 1B Javy Lopez botched his fourth pickoff play of the spring yesterday. He is scheduled to be the Opening Day first baseman. Up Next vs. Twins in Fort Myers, 1 p.m.