SARASOTA, Fla. -- As the Baltimore Orioles open their Grapefruit League schedule on Saturday with a home game against the Minnesota Twins at Ed Smith Stadium, hitters will take varying approaches at the plate.

Some will take more pitches than usual to get a feel for live pitching.

But others, like Orioles outfielder Nate McLouth, will come out swinging. In four intrasquad plate appearances this week, McLouth reached base three times, including an early-count double off lefty Zach Britton on Wednesday.

"It's weird, because sometimes in spring training (on) your first step in the box the first couple of times, it's like you've never been there before," McLouth said. "Your timing is off. You can't pick up the ball real fast. But I stepped in and I felt real good, and it's important to be to get some swings off early in spring training.

"For me, if I'm seeing the ball well and feeling good at the plate, I'm swinging at it," McLouth added. "I like to treat them like game at-bats, like in-season at-bats as far as mentality. If there's a guy on second with nobody out, I'm going to move him in spring training just like I'm going to move them in the season. You have to work on those things, too. I'm happy how I've seen the ball so far."

McLouth, who joined the Orioles in August after signing a minor league deal in June, became one of the team's most dependable players down the stretch. He's enjoying his first spring training camp with the club.

"I just kind of jumped in last year in August, but I felt comfortable from the day I walked in," McLouth said. "It's good to be back with these guys."

Wada progressing

Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada, rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery, threw 15 pitches from a half-mound Friday as scheduled.

It was Wada's third bullpen session from a half-mound. He's slated to throw from a full mound for the first time in his rehab on Monday. As in his previous three half-mound sessions, he began Friday by throwing long toss.

"I feel like it's gradually getting better and better day by day," Wada said through interpreter Seob Yoon. "Today was more like getting ready for Monday. That's the whole purpose of today's half-mound, and it went well."

Wada said earlier this week that he believed progressing to a full mound would be a significant step in his recovery. Wada is expected to be available in May or June.

"It is a big step, but it's more like a beginning, too," Wada said. "I'm going to have to go through a lot of different steps in order to get back, too."

Orioles to honor Weaver

The Orioles announced Friday that they will wear a patch on their jerseys throughout this season in honor of Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver, who died last month at the age of 82.

The orange patch will feature Weaver's retired No. 4, surrounded by the words "Earl Weaver, Hall of Fame."

The team also will honor Weaver with a pregame moment of silence and video tribute before Saturday's Grapefruit League opener.

Weaver's No. 4 will be stenciled onto the grass outside of the Orioles dugout in foul territory.

Around the horn

Britton is scheduled to start today's game, and the following pitchers are also expected to work an inning: Jake Arrieta, Tommy Hunter, Steve Johnson, Dylan Bundy, T.J. McFarland, Todd Redmond, Zach Clark and Adam Russell. ... Seven pitchers are slated to pitch in Sunday's first road game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin: Jair Jurrjens, Troy Patton, Mike Belfiore, Kevin Gausman, Mike Wright, Daniel Schlereth and Eduardo Rodriguez. Pitchers brought in from minor league minicamp will throw the final two innings. ... Manager Buck Showalter said second baseman Brian Roberts will start today, get one or two at-bats and then leave to attend a friend's wedding. He will not play in Sunday's game and will return for Monday's home game against the New York Yankees. ... Nick Markakis returned to camp Friday after being away from the team to attend a funeral. ... Catcher Allan de San Miguel left camp after Friday's workout to join the Australian team for the World Baseball Classic. Infielder Jonathan Schoop (Netherlands) will leave after today's game. Both teams play their tournament opener March 2 in Taiwan. ... Left-hander Zach Braddock is continuing his rehab from a torn labrum and is throwing long toss from 250 feet.

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