Patton optioned to Triple-A Norfolk; Tatum will take his place
The Orioles optioned left-handed pitcher Troy Patton to Triple-A Norfolk after Sunday's 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox.
Patton has been active for the Orioles for eight games this season but has not appeared in any of them.
A corresponding move will be announced tomorrow, but it's expected that catcher Craig Tatum will get the call. That will give manager Buck Showalter a four-man bench and more flexibility.
Patton took the news in stride, saying: "It's really a tough situation. I came up here to be a long-relief guy. and it just happens to be the one week of the season that literally no long-relief guy was needed. I wasn't needed to go in the games. I understand it. It's good that I go back down there and throw a little bit so that if I'm needed in September, I can be fresh."
It's tough that Patton didn't get any opportunities, but being unable to find innings for a long guy can be characterized as a good problem to have. A real good one.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
There was exactly one time when Patton could have been used in the last week, to the point that it boggles my mind he wasn't: on Wednesday, after the rain delay, when we were leading by 8 runs in the top of the seventh. Why didn't he come in, finish off the game and show us what he could do then? It was a perfect opportunity.
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Jeff Z's reply: Yeah, that would have been a good spot. He was supposed to be used in the ninth inning of that game with Albers pitching the seventh and eighth. But when the Angels scored all of those runs to get close, that plan was scrapped.
Posted by: Hugh | August 8, 2010 5:20 PM
I suspect this signals the beginning of some moves to come whatever they maybe.
Posted by: Bernard in SC | August 8, 2010 5:44 PM
Can't think of a better way to bolster the bench, give Wieters a day off w/o sacrificing the catcher's position and keeping Fox available to back up 1st or 3rd. Tatum had a good run and in truth, Patton needs the seasoning he'll get in Norfolk since he's just collecting bullpen dust in Baltimore.
Posted by: Jeff-Defender of the By lines. | August 8, 2010 11:52 PM
I really feel for patton, he deserved at least a chance to get in a game, I hope they consider using him in relief in norfolk to help him come back up in sept. feeling more at ease as a reliever.. Tatum really deserves the chance to be back up here based on his showing this year..
Posted by: grant | August 9, 2010 4:05 AM