Orioles: Intrasquad update
Hayden Penn pitched three scoreless innings in spite of what appeared to be a blister or fingernail problem on his pitching hand, and came within a strike of retiring nine straight batters. No. 9 hitter Guillermo Rodriguez doubled over the head of Oscar Salazar in right field to spoil the perfect outing.
Penn started looking at something on his right hand during his second inning and conferred with trainer Richie Bancells and pitching coach Rick Kranitz after he came off the mound, but he still went out and pitched the third. He threw a total of 33 pitches, 24 of them for strikes.
The results were not so great for Danys Baez, who worked through three innings, but did not get three outs in either the second or third. The coaching staff cut both those innings short to keep him from running up his pitch count.
Baez, whose command was shaky in his exhibition debut, gave up a single to the first batter he faced and walked a batter in the first inning before recording a pair of strikeouts. He faced just three batters in the second, giving up a walk and a single. he also gave up a walk and a single in the third before the inning was suspended.
His velocity appears to be all right, but command clearly is an issue early in his attempt to win a place in the starting rotation. He threw 47 pitches and only 21 strikes, but it's way too early to draw any conclusions about a guy who hasn't pitched competitively for a year and a half.
Comments
Good news about Penn's outing. He's looked sharp so far this spring.
Let's hope the problem is only minor; the guy's been through enough, it's time he starts having some luck going his way for a change.
Posted by: Ken Francis | March 3, 2009 12:07 PM
Way to go Penn, I’d really like to see this kid succeed! Keep it up! God, I hope the finger issue is nothing…He should do what Moises Alou does to keep blisters off his fingers LOL
Posted by: bms | March 3, 2009 12:08 PM
Here's a conclusion...Baez won't make the OD roster. This is not the season to take lack luster to poor talent north to Baltimore.
Posted by: Tim | March 3, 2009 12:13 PM
Great to hear about Penn. Is he now the favorite for #4 or #5?
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Pete's reply: Probably a little early for that.
Posted by: Chris | March 3, 2009 12:24 PM
Hopefully Penn makes the roatation
Posted by: Tom Hedrick | March 3, 2009 12:49 PM
"Oscar Salazar in right field" - that's probably the last time we'll see those words strung together this year.
It looks like maybe Baez is trying to take Cabrera's place in the rotation by imitating his pitch location. I actually hope he can shake off all the rust and be a viable commodity for the team, as trade bait if nothing else.
Posted by: CSB Jack | March 3, 2009 1:35 PM
I see Trembley figured out how to get three innings out of Baez...He is bound and determined to pound a square peg into a round hole... He is DAMAGED GOODS who last started with the Tribe SEVEN YEARS AGO,posting a 4.55era and a LOSING RECORD. That is why Cleveland moved a mediocre healthy Baez to the bullpen! Pete. can you give me one good reason why you think that Kranitz believes he will succeed? Also, do you believe in your gut that Baez was Kranitz's 'mystery starter'?
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Pete's reply: Yes I believe he was Kranitz' mystery starter, but don't know if he still is.
Posted by: stevO's | March 3, 2009 2:01 PM
Baez should still be given a chance to pitch his way onto the team. But the O's may have to face the fact that his contract is a sunk cost and cut him loose ala Gibbons. They have to pay him no matter what, they shouldnt let him block a guy like Penn, Pauley or Hennessey.
Posted by: Mikepcfl | March 3, 2009 2:19 PM
I would really love to see Hayden catch a break. As for Baez, total waste of money and a roster space. I wouldn't even feel comfortable with him in the bullpen.
Posted by: Mr. Deez | March 3, 2009 3:05 PM
I think the Os' might be onto something here; they can call it the "Baez Rule": Anytime their pitching sucks, the Orioles reserve the right to call an end to their side of the inning.
So one out, bases loaded? No sweat. Inning over.
Posted by: Fang Guy | March 3, 2009 6:21 PM
Penn is going to pitch lights out ST and get hit by lightening while walking to the mound his first start at Camden Yards.
That why I took out an insurance policy on him with AIG.
Posted by: Northwood | March 3, 2009 9:36 PM
I hope Penn resolves the finger(cuts and blisters) problem. Looks like he could be a dependable starter.
Posted by: Cecil | March 4, 2009 6:43 AM