Orioles: Hill takes a step
Orioles beat writer Jeff Zrebiec was on hand for Rich Hill's bullpen session this morning and said that he looked comfortable, though he basically threw 25 fastballs in his first mound workout since early in camp. He proclaimed himself still in play to be in the starting rotation on Opening Day, but that's going to be a neat trick, since he doesn't figure to pitch in an exhibition game until next weekend.
That barely leaves time for him to pitch 10 innings before the start of the regular season, and there's still the small matter of how his elbow feels when he wakes up tomorrow morning.
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Comments
Peter - considering how pitiful the Orioles starting pitching is, I disagree with your statement that its "going to be a neat trick, since he doesn't figure to pitch in an exhibition game until next weekend."
If he is healthy, Rich Hill is a lock to be a starter for this terrible starting staff.
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Pete's reply: No argument there, but I'm talking about being ready to pitch five or six innings.
Posted by: Steve E. | March 15, 2009 11:57 AM
Our starting rotation sadly will be just like last year ..... next man up !
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | March 15, 2009 1:58 PM
Pete - Can you throw a curve-ball ? We need arms .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | March 15, 2009 4:28 PM
I disagree. I'm cautiously optomistic about this year for three big reasons:
1) Plenty of options to turn to if someone falters;
2) Because of reason one, guys know they need to step up and be at their best all the time, or the could be gone, and
3) There just seems to be a better overall approach this year with Kranitz and Trembley, and an emphasis on just hitting the strikezone. Walks have KILLED us the last few years, and just eliminating half of them would improve the staff greatly.
Your thoughts Pete?
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Pete's reply: I don't know if it's the program. I think they have more viable guys who throw strikes.
Posted by: Christopher Mills | March 15, 2009 5:16 PM
I'm going to offer the same comment I made over on Roch's blog, Pete.
I don't really get the huge concern about who's in the rotation on Opening Day, Hill, this guy or that guy. The most practical outlook is that the rotation will be a work in progress for most of the first half of the season, or most of the whole season at that. Whoever is in it will be better for the improvement in defense and catcher.
True, his time in camp has been nothing but setback followed by explanation followed by something else followed by explanation. How bad would it be if the team had to let him go if he doesn't make the rotation? As I recall, if he doesn't, we don't have to give the Cubs anything for him.
Posted by: steve | March 15, 2009 8:28 PM