Tillman to 'pen; Roberts out another four to six weeks
Interim manager Juan Samuel announced today that struggling starter Chris Tillman will head to the bullpen for the time being. Because of three off days in a 12-day span, the Orioles won't need a fifth starter until June 26.
Pitching coach Rick Kranitz said both Tillman and Brad Bergesen are candidates to start that game. He also said that the club still views Tillman as a starter and he's only in the bullpen on a temporary basis because the rest of the relievers are pretty taxed right now.
It sounds like if Tillman isn't getting regular work by the time the team returns home next week, the club could send him down to Triple-A Norfolk so he can resume pitching regularly as a starter.
Samuel spoke to injured second baseman Brian Roberts (herniated disk) today and said that he expects the two-time All-Star to be out at least another four to six weeks. That shouldn't be a surprise after president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said yesterday that Roberts will be shut down from baseball activities for another two weeks.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
does anything go right for this miserable team?
Posted by: jim | June 15, 2010 8:56 PM
Wow! Did McPhail shut down the rest of the team from baseball activities too? I mean, what they're doing on the field can't possibly be called baseball activities!
Posted by: Tristan | June 15, 2010 9:04 PM
Bullpen overworked? Then change the way you use the pitchers! If a relief pitcher is doing well, keep him in; don't remove him so someone else can pitch to one batter! It's not working anyway... Let the pitchers pitch more than two or three batters. Since we're not in the pennant race we might as well be in a pitching development mode. The way Tremb Samuel uses Berken and Hernandez and Ohman and... it's downright dumb! They won't be overworked if management does not overwork them... Let the starters eat up some innings and do some on-the-job learning when they give up a ton of runs at the beginning...
Posted by: DonM | June 15, 2010 10:05 PM
Out 4-6 more weeks on what...a ledge?
Posted by: CJ | June 15, 2010 10:10 PM
Get well Brian, we need you.
Posted by: DFL | June 16, 2010 4:01 AM
As needed as Roberts might be the bigger issue is his health. I would not try to force him back this year. Take the lumps and get him healthy, with this kind of injury early return can cause recurrnance or worse permanent injury. What is more important? The guy helping a team that in reality is beyond help this year or being healthy for life?
Posted by: Doug | June 16, 2010 11:27 AM
Munchausen Syndrome and not by proxy.
Posted by: Dr. Nick | June 16, 2010 9:54 PM
Showalter coming to town? I have loved my Orioles for 40 years, but unless we start to spend some money for quality players still in their youth, not old has been's we are going to be in the cellar. The days of us whooping the Yankees and Red Sox are over until our illustrious owner decides to fess up some of his hard earned money. Roberts needs to get better, so stay away from the Orioles that will only make you sick. At this pace I would say I'll be dead and gone before we win another pennant or hell another winning season. Truly disappointed.
Posted by: Oriole Lifer | June 17, 2010 6:04 AM