With Hughes up, expect Turner down
Nothing is official yet regarding the pending Rhyne Hughes move. Won’t be for a few hours.
But when the Orioles officially put the Triple-A slugger onto their roster, someone has to go.
Expect it to be infielder Justin Turner, who was hitless in nine at-bats for the Orioles in five games. Turner is a great kid and a hard worker and likely will be on the Kam Mickolio Memorial Plane from Norfolk whenever the Orioles need a guy to come up and fill a variety of roles on the offense. Turner played in two games for the Tides, going 2-for-8 before being recalled when Brian Roberts headed to the DL.
But he wasn’t playing much, and he’s not a shortstop, which has kept Julio Lugo in an Orioles uniform so far.
There were other candidates, including a host of relievers. But the Orioles need all the arms they can get now, I suppose.
The interesting thing in all of this is how much Hughes plays and whether it means a reduced role for starting first baseman Garrett Atkins, who had a rough day in the field and at the plate Friday.
We’ll ask those questions later.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
Wrong move. Turner should be starting for us. Wiggy at First while he is hitting.
Posted by: Gary Thorn | April 24, 2010 1:42 PM
Maybe Turner will make Facebook entry to let us know he's been demoted. Why did it tke an extra day for the O's to figure out to bring Huhges up when they could have on the off day Thursday? But seriously bring this guy up as an offensive hero shows how bad everybody else is. This is the big move to help Trembley I guess.
Posted by: John | April 24, 2010 2:19 PM
Personally, I'd like to see them release Atkins. What a terrible signing.
Posted by: Mitch | April 24, 2010 3:24 PM
Let's hope Lazy Lugo is not in an Orioles uniform much longer....what an awful display he put on in Seattle!
Glad to see Hughes up....let's go with Hughes/Snyder and trade Atkins to someone at trading deadline.
Posted by: John from Kensington | April 24, 2010 4:09 PM
Maybe the O's need to put a few guys back to their primary position. ATkins may feel more comfortable at 3rd, Miggie at SS and Wigginton over at 1st, to keep him in the lineup. I think it's been shown that many players have trouble at the plate when transitioning to a new position.
Posted by: GregA | April 24, 2010 6:33 PM
It will be interesting to see if Hughes makes some starts at first base. How is his defense?
Having both Tejada and Atkins learning on the job creates too great a weakness. Our starting pitchers are doing well so far. Superlative defense will go a long way toward building confidence in the younger arms.
Posted by: Tom Paine | April 24, 2010 8:29 PM