Gonzo starting in Aberdeen
The ongoing saga of reliever Michael Gonzalez is expected to take a positive step forward today.
He is scheduled to start for Short-A Aberdeen against Brooklyn tonight in a minor-league rehab assignment. He will probably only throw an inning or so.
This will be Gonzalez’s first outing outside of Florida since he went on the disabled list on April 14 with a strained left shoulder.
If all goes well with Gonzalez, he could be activated in time for the Orioles road trip that begins Friday in Boston, according to Andy MacPhail, the club’s president of baseball operations.
And he may not be the only old face joining the club for that trip. MacPhail said it is also possible for outfielder Felix Pie (torn muscle in back) to be on that trip, too.
Both are on the 60-day disabled list, so two players would have to come off the 40-man roster when they are activated.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
Please let us know if he was able to break 85 MPH on the radar gun when you give the minor league recaps. Thanks.
Posted by: Jack Daniels | June 27, 2010 4:26 PM
Just wondering - what role would Gonzo have. With Hernandez and Simon doing what they have been doing recently, the O's can't be thinking about him being handed the closer role are they? So will he be middle relief?
And let's all hope Pie picks up where he left off.
Posted by: VeryFrustratedFan | June 27, 2010 4:52 PM
I can't imagine they are thinking of making him the closer, but if he can show he is back in the low 90's and throwing some strikes maybe a contender looking for a lefy would give the O's something more than a class C prospect (and take the $8 million remaining on his contract..
Posted by: Jeff | June 27, 2010 5:44 PM
Friday may be a little early. Gonzalez's line tonight - 1 inning 2 hits 2 runs including a HR by Cory Vaughn (21 year old from SD State) his first professional HR. I think Simon can sleep well for a little longer. Next Gonzo takes on the Calvert Hall Varsity.
Posted by: Jeff | June 27, 2010 5:53 PM
Looks like Gonzalez gave up a 2-run homer and no strikeouts in one inning pitched,. Great. Against low-A batters.
Posted by: Rick | June 27, 2010 6:19 PM
Gonzo has no place on this club. GONZO CAN'T EVEN GET SINGLE A BATTERS OUT ! Why do we need this guy cause we squandered 12 million on him?
Posted by: FritzJerries | June 27, 2010 7:27 PM
When Gonzalez is ready we should welcome him back.. Even if he is in the 90's he will have to earn a shot at the closer role but we can also use another lefty in the pen. I believe he can pitch as well as mata or albers.. All these fans that want anyone who is making more than the minimum sent out has the disease they try to acuse Angelos and Macphail having. Atkins was a bust as Andy admitted but at least he and Peter tried so quit crying.. The jury is still out on gonzalez..
Posted by: GRANT | June 27, 2010 11:20 PM
Because serious money is invested in Gonzalez, he will be given a career path to the closer role. The first part of the path should go through a minors assignment in which he must demonstrate pitching effectiveness to go forward. Besides getting batters out consistently, the measures of effectiveness include a high speed fastball and the ability to locate it.
I hope MacPhail doesn''t promote Gonzo quickly to the major league club. I don't want to watch Gonzalez test his pitching skill while I am watching. Fans already went through that experience during the first week of the season. Let Norfolk fans enjoy a similar experience with a better outcome before I have to see Gonzolez again.
Posted by: George | June 28, 2010 8:20 AM