The lineup and Tuesday's starter
Brian Roberts - 2B
Melvin Mora - 3B
Nick Markakis - RF
Aubrey Huff - DH
Kevin Millar - 1B
Luke Scott - LF
Ramon Hernandez - C
Adam Jones - CF
Freddie Bynum - SS
Daniel Cabrera - P
The Orioles are listing Tuesday's starter in Minnesota as TBA, so let the speculation begin.
It seems pretty obvious that Steve Trachsel is being skipped again. Manager Dave Trembley said the rest of the rotation is undisturbed, meaning Daniel Cabrera pitches Wednesday and Garrett Olson goes Thursday.
Trembley said the team considered calling up Hayden Penn from Triple-A Norfolk, but he's been placed on the seven-day disabled list with a sore right shoulder. He's expected to miss only one start. The Orioles appear to be keeping Tuesday open until finding out whether Matt Albers is needed over the next two games.
So what does this mean for Trachsel? Trembley won't use him in relief because he's made only one appearance out of the bullpen in his entire major league career. And he's not in the rotation.
An 11-man staff without the extra bench player. How much longer can that arrangement hold up?
Norfolk is starting Zach Clark tonight. He began the year at low Single-A Delmarva before moving up to Frederick.
Comments
I think they should start Traschsel. If he's good, you've got your 5th starter back. If he's bad they can release him in good faith, knowing that they gave him a fair shake this season. There's no way he has any trade value whatsoever at this point.
Posted by: Dylan | May 30, 2008 5:02 PM
Penn has had great timing in his career so far, hasn't he?
Trachsel will pitch in the next blow out.
I'd rather see them try & pass Hernandez through waivers & bring up Salazar or Terrero before bringing up someone to replace a released Trachsel....right now. Really, if you think about it, who is going to claim Hernandez when they would have to keep him on the 25 man roster? Odds are he makes it to Norfolk.
I don't get how the O's bring up a guy from low A ball to Norfolk in 2 months but other guys doing better, stay at Frederick & Bowie.... Is Clark an organizational guy, not a prized prospect?
Posted by: Brian | May 30, 2008 5:04 PM
This needs repeating....
How many of you would pick going to see the premiere of Sex Out of Pity vs the Red Sux-O's game? Just wondering....
Personally, I already know how to shop for....shoes.
Posted by: Brian | May 30, 2008 5:08 PM
TBA = To be Albers
Posted by: Barry | May 30, 2008 5:09 PM
Some amazing "veteran entitlement" re: Trachsel. He apparently can't pitch in relief, but he also can't pitch past three innings when he starts. Would Albers or Olson be getting this kind of latitude? (That's a rhetorical question).
And Trachsel isn't the only one taking up space on the 25-man roster. Luis Hernandez has appeared in just five games since May 11, with five plate appearances.
Basically Trembley is down to 23 players before he even makes out his lineup card.
Posted by: PhilF | May 30, 2008 5:39 PM
Penn seems like injuries will dictate his career. its not the severity nor the frequency. It is the timing. When he seems to getting a great opportunity to come up he is not physically able.
Sometimes fate is the creulest of General Managers.
Posted by: David Fisher | May 30, 2008 5:52 PM
Traschel and Hernandez for 6 Dodger Dogs and a Pepsi.
Posted by: Cheese | May 30, 2008 6:12 PM
If the Orioles release Trachsel, it would rank #3 in my "2008 Sports Happiest Moments", behind Billick's firing and McNair's "retirement".
Posted by: easywriter01 | May 30, 2008 6:24 PM
Yeah, I think it'll be Albers. If Traschel is being skipped, just release him, and let him live his retirement.
As for the bench player, just put L. Hernandez on the waiver wire, and have him pass to Norfolk, and bring up Salazar or Torres, and give them a shot.
If we are supposed to compete with the A-list pitchers, bringing out Traschel is not the first option I want as a pitcher. No offense to him. But, we need pitchers that can match up to the opponent's pitchers.
And, finally, I think if the Orioles release Traschel, it would be #3 behind Gibbon's release and McNair's "retirement".
Posted by: Ben W | May 30, 2008 6:54 PM