Orioles settle into new Sarasota home

The Baltimore Orioles formally settled into their new spring training home Thursday - and they couldn't be happier.

Pitchers and catchers began filing out of their clubhouse at Ed Smith Stadium at precisely 11:45 a.m. after mandatory physicals and a team meeting. As they lined up to stretch and throw, the players were surrounded by hundreds of fans and acres of real estate.

After spending the past 14 years in Fort Lauderdale, the Orioles have been warmly welcomed by the city of Sarasota. The new facility is a huge upgrade over their former home, and it's set to undergo a $32 million renovation after spring training.

"Some people that I know in town are generally excited about it," said reliever Jim Johnson, who lives in Sarasota. "I know as a player, what we're looking at right now isn't the final product. I'm excited what this place is going to be like next year. It's already a step up from Fort Lauderdale. It's a good location and it's going to be a top-notch facility."

The move gives the Orioles two extra practice fields, plus five more at their minor-league complex, which is a 15-minute drive from the facility. No more three-hour trips across the state, as was the case in Fort Lauderdale.

More than 200 fans lined the fences that separate the back fields as the Orioles broke off into groups to begin the day's drills. Many of the onlookers arrived more than two hours earlier.

Manager Dave Trembley wandered through the crowd with a huge smile on his face, stopping to sign autographs and chat with fans.

ANGELS: Infielder Erick Aybar and Los Angeles have agreed to a one-year, $2.05 million deal that avoids salary arbitration.

ASTROS: Houston beat Wandy Rodriguez in salary arbitration, meaning the pitcher will be paid $5 million this year instead of the $7 million he sought.

METS: Ace Johan Santana is feeling confident about his rebuilt left elbow. He reported to spring training Thursday in Port St. Lucie and said he feels fine throwing all of his pitches.

MARINERS: The team has set Feb. 24 as the target date for pitcher Cliff Lee's first bullpen session of spring training. Lee is coming off of foot surgery, and his workouts have been limited.

NATIONALS: Left-hander Ross Detwiler will miss at least three months after surgery this week to repair torn right hip cartilage.

PIRATES: Reliever Joel Hanrahan will miss the start of the regular season because of an injured right elbow, and there is no timetable for his return.