Looks like Berken has pitched his way into a starters job. Castillo will be a long man out of the pen.
Bergy will be back , a mere speed bump to start a horrid O's season.

Jeff-

Why would they mess with a good thing and move Berken back to the rotation?

The smart move is to give Jake his shot, spark the fan base and team with the move, and keep Berken as a weapon in the pen.
No brainer if you ask me.

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Jeff Z's reply: Very good point Ryan, and pretty much what I said in respond to somebody else's post about their options. May 1, the next day I believe they'll need a fifth starter, is a ways away. A lot can happen before that, but I don't know that I'd move Berken out of the role which he is really excelling in to this point. It's amazing. His stuff looks night and day from last year.

Out of all the bad stuff that's happened this year,this is the worst. This kid had tons of promise and a possible mainstay int the rotation for years.I've been saying since spring training something wasn't right with this whole Bergy situation and now it's come to a head.
It's obvious Bergy's arm strength was off the question is why. Is he really injured and not saying anything because he wants to compete.

Bergie's pitching is the scariest thing I've seen since the Blair Witch Project. His deterioration since last year is baffling. Now we have the Which Bergie Project. The only rational answer: Angelos is cursed.

This yet more evidence that Trembley is an idiot and is the biggest obstacle to the Orioles becoming competitive.

Bergenson, who had not regained his arm strength, should have started the season on a minor league rehab assignment. In keeping it real, the same is true for Roberts. I'll cut Trembley (the fool) some slack on with respect to Gonzales but he should have known something was physically wrong with him too--his velocity was way down during exhibition season.

Trembley can't even manage the situation with Wiggington. In truth, I don't like Wiggington because he is a one-dimensional player with no upside--just like Luke Scott. But, he is by far the Oriole's hottest hitter and lone deep threat. So, yes, he needs to be in the line-up but not at either second or third base! He needs to DH, where he can't harm the effort with his glove, and I repeat, he and Scott are redundant because the team can't carry to no field, feast or famine guys even as a platoon.

Trembley can't see this nuance, just like he can't see that Jones is a complete failure as a lead-off guy.

I am conflicted because I want the Oriole's to win, but I realize the only hope for them to win is by losing in the short run so badly that the Orioles brass has no choice but to dump Trembley sorry butt and find a true leader once and for all!

A shame to see Bergesen struggle after what he did last year, but this seems like the right move ... he's obviously got to work some stuff out. Will be interesting to see what they do with his spot long-term ... would love to see Arrietta get a shot, though not sure he's ready. Berken seems more likely. Anyone else in the mix?

Jeff, thanks for picking up on this story.

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Jeff Z's reply: Not that I know of, except maybe Hendrickson. But May 1, the next day the Orioles need a fifth starter, is a ways away. A lot can happen between now and then. I'm a little torn on Berken because in one sense, I'm kind of thinking that the guy is really excelling in the long role - albeit in a small sample size - so why take him out of it?

Who cares? I have news for the O's: if you can't play defense behind your starter, and you can't score runs to support him, it doesn't matter whether you start Brad Bergesen or Greg Maddux, you're not going to win the ballgame.

This yet more evidence that Trembley is an idiot and is the biggest obstacle to the Orioles becoming competitive.

Bergenson, who had not regained his arm strength, should have started the season on a minor league rehab assignment. In keeping it real, the same is true for Roberts. I'll cut Trembley (the fool) some slack on with respect to Gonzales but he should have known something was physically wrong with him too--his velocity was way down during exhibition season.

Trembley can't even manage the situation with Wiggington. In truth, I don't like Wiggington because he is a one-dimensional player with no upside--just like Luke Scott. But, he is by far the Oriole's hottest hitter and lone deep threat. So, yes, he needs to be in the line-up but not at either second or third base! He needs to DH, where he can't harm the effort with his glove, and I repeat, he and Scott are redundant because the team can't carry to no field, feast or famine guys even as a platoon.

Trembley can't see this nuance, just like he can't see that Jones is a complete failure as a lead-off guy.

I am conflicted because I want the Oriole's to win, but I realize the only hope for them to win is by losing in the short run so badly that the Orioles brass has no choice but to dump Trembley and find a true leader once and for all!

figured either the DL or minors for Burgesen after last night

I don't think Bergy is the same pitcher he was prior to getting hit by the line drive last year. Took a long time for his leg to get better so his conditioning has to be off some. Then he hurt his shoulder doing a commercial before spring training and set him back even further. So basically I don't think he has really started spring training yet. He is so far behind in his work he is struggling noticebly. That was the best think the Orioles could do for him is by sending him to the minors. I don't think Norfolk is the best place for him right now. Maybe extended spring training then maybe Frederick. Let him gradually work his way back then maybe a September call up. His confidence is so low that he needs to rebuild his mentality also. This is going to be a lost year anyway thanks so ownership.

I'm not surprised Bergesen got sent down , he has been so far off this year . What surprises me is the choice of Castillo. I guess they felt the need for a 3rd lefty in the bullpen. I was expecting them to bring up someone to pitch long relief and give Berken a break. Isn't Castillo a specialist and probably a 1 inning pitcher only?

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Jeff Z's reply: Castillo isn't a long man by any means, but I think he can go two innings.

Albert Castillo?? Uhhh, how about Wilfredo Perez instead??? Please!? Castillo has proven that he can't be effective. Wouldn't it make more sense to bring up Alfredo Simon to take Berken's role if Berken moves into Bergesen's spot?

I am convinced that Bergenson is injured. And I bet it happened during that stupid promo spot he did.

This guy was shelved for how long? He never should have gone north (albeit hindsight) but the O's never looked at any free agent veteren help until the "prospects" were truely ready. Tillman is getting lit up at AAA. What if Hernandez blows up? Then what? Arrietta?

Berken needs to stay in the bullpen because God knows we will need the bullpen every night for at least 4 innings. Until Trembley burns them out.

At this rate the O's will be 20 games out by Memorial Day. Imagine how many fans will come out then.

It's obvious at this point that Jeff is correct in his assumptions that they will go with the 4 man rotation until May 1st at which time it's likely that either Tillman (if he can straighten himself out) or Arietta will get a shot.

I've commented several times over the last few weeks that it appears Bergy's shoulder never actually healed from the injury he sustained in the off-season doing that commercial. It's the reason he's not getting any bite on his sinker (which is the do-or-die pitch he has) and he's lost some velocity. See here: http://oriolesshallreturn.blogspot.com/2010/04/thats-0-3-for-bergy.html

It's just sad. Bergy was one nice surprise last year and by all accounts is a good kid.

It seems like Bergy is rushing on the mound. Last year, he had a more defined pause in his delivery.

I apologize for any misspelled names in order to protect the innocent.

I think they need to trade Scott or Wiggington. I do agree that they are very similar players. I would like to see Andino back with the Big League Club instead of AAA (He would be a better back-up and 2nd base and he was hitting well in Spring Training). He and Izturis would be a better connection up the middle (I am still scratching my head over the Lugo pick-up).
I also agree that R. Hughes should be with the Big League Club playing 1B. He had a great spring and he is doing well in AAA. I would like to see Arietta replace Bergy. My two cents!! I am still an O's Fan and I always will be a fan!!