Gonzalez getting second opinion, Bergy still option for May 1 start
Orioles injured closer Michael Gonzalez was supposed to report to the team's spring training complex today in Sarasota to begin a rehabilitation program for his strained left shoulder, but first he'll be in Birmingham, Ala., to get a second opinion from noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews.
It's never great news to hear anybody visiting Dr. Andrews, but Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said there is also no reason to be alarmed. Gonzalez is just seeking a second opinion and he's had no setbacks or anything.
"I have no reason to believe that the original prognosis is not the one that comes to fruition, which is to expect him back in like three weeks," MacPhail said. "I think it’s generally a good idea [to get a second opinion]. It’s not up to us or not. It’s a collectively bargained rite that they have, which makes common sense. You’re not going to be available for a couple of weeks so why not? Let’s get the information."
MacPhail also discussed Brad Bergesen's demotion and said that it was more of a matter of the two off days (Thursday and next Monday) giving the Orioles an opportunity for the second-year pitcher to work on his mechanics in a less-pressurized environment. The Orioles won't need a fifth starter until May 1, and MacPhail said that Bergesen is very much a candidate to pitch in that spot.
Of course, he'll obviously have to show some improvement at Triple-A Norfolk for that to happen.
"Rather than him work sporadically or work out of the bullpen, he is better served to go to Triple-A, get a start under his belt and spend some time working on his mechanics where he can get his sinker back to where it was last year," MacPhail said.
As for Bergesen making that May 1 start, MacPhail said, "We'll see how he does. Clearly, if he can make some of the adjustments we’re asking him to make, he’s as viable of a candidate as anybody else."
Though Bergesen clearly looks uncomfortable on the mound and is coming off both shin and shoulder injuries, MacPhail said that the pitcher's struggles aren't injury related.
"The velocity is there," he said. "His stuff is just flat. He’s not getting the downward movement that he had a year ago. It’s an opportunity for him to go work on his mechanics and to get himself back here and pitch like he pitched for us a year ago."
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
Thanks for the actual quotes on both this and the entry after this. I enjoy reading what the GM and Mgr see and have to say rather than the total crap/conjecture of loudmouth posters who wouldn't know a pitcher if he hit them in the head with a fastball. The other blog has become humourless and pretty much unreadable, downright laughable, a free-for-all dominated by know-it-alls who have have decided they know more than lifetime baseball people.
The Orioles are what they are. I don't think most of us need to get beat on the head about what they are.
Keep up the good work.
Posted by: jim66 | April 20, 2010 2:20 PM
Hi Jeff,
Macphail is whistling in the dark about Gonzalez. If Mike saw fit to go see Dr. Andrews he didn't do it just because he has some time to kill.
Of course Bergesen's problems are injury related in some way because he hasn't been the same pitcher since the shin and shoulder.
Andy's comments are becoming more unbelievable and less credible by the day. Who does he think he is trying to fool?
Posted by: Gil | April 20, 2010 2:25 PM
The benefit of having a GM who errs on the side of caution like Andy is that if he's publically giving it a timetable of 3 wks, then you can be reasonably confident of that.
Posted by: Eddie in NYC | April 20, 2010 2:49 PM
This quote from MacPhail is telling, "We'll see how he does. Clearly, if he can make some of the adjustments we’re asking him to make, he’s as viable of a candidate as anybody else."
In other words, it's not necessarily Bergesen's job anymore, even if he makes the needed adjustments.
Does anyone know of an occasion when Dr. Andrews did not suggest surgery? Typically, surgeons suggest surgery, because that's what they do.
Posted by: mdbdotcom | April 20, 2010 3:38 PM
Good post, jim66, I agree 100% that the negative posters, such as Gil just below yours, seem to think they know lots more than real baseball people. They're really just killjoys with a much inflated sense of self importance who never let facts get in the way their gloom and doom trying to bring the rest of us down to their level.
Posted by: GaryB | April 20, 2010 3:41 PM
His stuff is "flast"???
collectively bargained "rite"???
okay even a spellchecker would've caught 1 of those...
Posted by: Max | April 20, 2010 4:00 PM
We've all been sold a bill of goods by Andy. I actually believed his strategy for quite a while. We've been screwed.
Posted by: P Dawn Bios | April 20, 2010 4:25 PM
Second opinions can be dangerous. My doctor told me I was fat, and when I asked for a second opinion, he said, okay, you're ugly, too.
Posted by: easywriter01 | April 20, 2010 6:33 PM
To Zigzag...Helen Hayes son is James McArthur, as in "bookem Dano".
Posted by: Dan Gibson | April 20, 2010 6:50 PM
GaryB's comments are typical of the 2 or 3 Oriole employees who multiply their numbers through dozens of bogus screen names. What gives them away is that they never address the issue, only the poster. I have read Gil's comments before on football and Baseball blogs and he seems to know what he is talking about. GaryB is just cruising the blogs spewing Oriole PR devoid of cogent thoughts.
Posted by: Warehouse detector | April 20, 2010 8:47 PM
I give you a second opinion YOU STINK and a third opinion YOU STINK and a fourth opinion YOU STINK
Posted by: ray | April 21, 2010 7:45 AM
Warehouse detector, your post is funny! I've never been involved with the O's in any capacity except as a fan since 1954. Your paranoia is showing! Gil and Wayne are just so negative, I had to respond, plus what jim 66 said is accurate.
Posted by: GaryB | April 21, 2010 10:12 AM