How does appendicitis keep a baseball player out for weeks when a hockey player misses approximately 5 days (Jonathan Erickson - Redwings missed game five of the Chicago series and was back for game one against the Pens...).

Wanted to pipe in and say that I wish Walker the best. He is a stand up guy and never made excuses, but no question that he hasn't been the same guy we saw in his 1st year here.

Cesar has been playing so well lately that I hope it's just a minor ailment. In trying to see the bright side, I am kind of curious to see Andino get some time and see what he can or can't do.

Pete, if Cesar goes on the DL, who becomes the utility INF? Would Justin Turner be an option?

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Pete's reply: My guess would be Jolbert Cabrera.

I hope its not the same stuff happening to the Mets players.....

Wow this is huge! Instead of 70 wins, only 65. Big whoop.

Bad news about Izturis. Was wondering Pete if you've heard anything about the team with regards to the trade deadline and whether we are looking to deal guys like Huff, Scott, Guthrie, Sherrill, etc...? The article about our minor depth was interesting and there's no denying our farm system has improved exponentially over the last few years. MacPhail has made some good trades and while I don't necessarily want to see anyone go, someone like Guthrie could bring in a couple more elite prospects from a desperate contender.

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Pete's reply: I think Andy will listen to all offers, but I think the team's performance the next four or five weeks may dictate whether anyone gets dealt.

Appendicitis? Jonathan Ericsson of the Red Wings had his appendix out, and scored a goal two days later in the Stanley Cup Finals! I don't want to hear about no stinking appendicitis!!! Just kidding of course. All the best to Cesar.

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Pete's reply: Really don't know what it is. He was hurting yesterday and today, and he's undergoing tests.

Always wondered if Justin Turner could play SS. He would be a great choice to take over for Izturis but I believe he was strictly a 2B at Norfolk.

Pete,

Terrible to hear about Cesar he was really starting to Gel.

What do you think Guthrie's real problem is? I think he has all the tools, but is very undisciplined . He can throw 4 good pitches in a at bat, but then will throw the ball right down the middle. I can't remember if this has always been an issue or not. Just something I've noticed this season.

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Pete's reply: There's nothing wrong with his talent, but I think he has some confidence issues.

Pete,

Terrible to hear about Cesar he was really starting to Gel.

What do you think Guthrie's real problem is? I think he has all the tools, but is very undisciplined . He can throw 4 good pitches in a at bat, but then will throw the ball right down the middle. I can't remember if this has always been an issue or not. Just something I've noticed this season.

I hate to beat a dead horse, but I'd still like to know how Jake Arietta can get over sixteen thousand votes (as I write this) as best Orioles prospect in a Sun poll, while the second place guy (Wieters) gets some 1,300 votes.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining about who's winning and who isn't. In fact, who cares? But it makes no sense for first place guy to beat second place guy by about 15,000 votes when there were probably 20,000 or so votes cast altogether.

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Pete's reply: I cannot explain that. Didn't know about it until you mentioned it. I'll take a look.

Someone tell me why we should not trade Guthrie. I have not seen him be an effective pitcher this season and it would be more productive to watch one of the young guys pitch in his spot.

I get angry watching him throw hangers and big fat fastballs over & over & over again.

I had an appendectomy about 30 years ago and didn't feel like myself for a month.Hopefully,Cesar being a pro athlete, and with today's improved surgeries,he can cut the down time,but I'd be surprised if he wasn't out for at least 2 weeks.

what is wrong with Guthrie he seems to be having many problems this year. I do not see the orioles much here in san antonio, but they are my hometown team

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Pete's reply: First and foremost, he's not a No. 1 guy. Second, I think he's been all over the place mentally this year.

It seems to me that the Orioles sleepwalk through way too many games. Mental errors, baserunning mistakes, getting dominated by pitchers that have no business dominating anyone. Clearly this reflects poorly on the manager and I can't help but wonder if Trembley gets replaced at the end of another 90-plus loss season.

Appendicitis can be a very serious, life threatening medical problem if the appendix has ruptured. Basically your insides becomes filled with bacteria and the surgery requires extensive cleanup and the patient has a substantially longer recovery (a number of weeks) and more invasive surgery.

If you can operate prior to it rupturing via laparoscopy (a small incision) then you can usually go home the next day and the recovery is much easier.
Appendicitis is nothing to laugh at and in many countries it is often fatal.
Hopefully in Izturis case it was caught in time.

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Pete's reply: I know that. I've had it, like millions of others. My surgery went well, but my daughter's burst during the laproscopic procedure and it was a very serious thing. Fortunately, she bounced back okay.

Well,once again Trembley mishandling of his pitching staff leaves me bewildered.I don't care how much one of my starters tells me he's okay after a shot like that,I want him out of the game to get examined,obviously he wasn't okay,and Hendrickson has been a three inning pitcher all year,I would have had him out after Kennedy reached,and predicted the Holliday homerun.Looks like outr August swoon and bad luck is starting way early this year with the Izturis news.And it's a big diffrence if he just had his appendix removed versus having it burst.This team looks disinterested,and we weren't going to pitch like that forever.Losing 9-0 to Oakland,the worst batting team in the majors is the lowlight of the seson for me,and there have been several.I'm revising my win total for the year to 60.

It's a damn shame Salazar doesn't really play short anymore. Nobody is more deserving of a callup right now.

Also I'm going to be DIFFERENT and pick Melvin Dorta as the guy getting called up.

Before the road trip you asked, "Make your predictions: Can the O's win four of six on the coast?"

Answer: No

They are still what they are. Water finds it's own level. The Orioles found theirs. It's about .435.

Holle Moley! In the O's blowout, is that THEE Russ Springer pitching? I remember trading Ben McDonald for him in one of my earlier rotisserie leagues.

Thought Ron Villone was well traveled? Well Springer played for the yankees, then the angels, then the phillies, then the astros, then the braves, then the diamondbacks, then BACK to the braves, then the cardinals, then BACK to the astros, then BACK to the cardinals, and now the A's

Any wonder why most ML pitching blows? Any wonder why the O's stink when slobs like this still get employment on teams supposedly better than the O's?

There is no NFL equivalent of Russ Springer. Nor Jamie Walker. The top two stories in The Sun today were Matt Stover (age 41) and Walker (age 37). One of these guys is a HOFer, the other guy just pocketed $12 Million for ONE GOOD year and TWO LOUSY ones...MLB gives too much money away to slobs like him. Its why I'm only a casual baseball fan and a rabid RAVENS fan.

MLB sucks...always will.

Just got done reading your PETA column,had to laugh several times,but I think I liked the headline better when Wang got hurt that said Yank's Wang out for several weeks,lol.After that beatdown tonight it was good to laugh,let's trade Scott and Sherill while they are hot,because at this rate,George might not get another save oppurtunity for a couple of weeks.I have never seen the team look this lethargic and tired this early in the season,and why in the world do you sit Reimold to p[lay Wigginton?Sit Mora and move Huff to third,but Reimold and Scott have hit your last 11 homeruns and you're struggling to score runs.I just don't understand Dave's logic some days,no I take that back,I just don't understand his logic most days.Give adam Jones a day off,his defense and his offense are suffering right now.And I'll be honest when Cust hit that fly ball,I thought it was a routine flyout to the warning track.We look horrible.

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Pete's reply: I doubt it's possible to write a Wang headline that isn't funny.

So they get rid of a guy who could be the 25th man on the team(Walker) and think it's going to make a difference winning.Hernanzez is likely to be skipped next time through the rotation so why not put him in last night's game behind Guthrie to see how he reacts out of the bullpen.Why was Reimold out of the line up last night?

The O's win primarily night games at home facing righties in the first two games of series,otherwise they suck across the board. There has to be a reason for this and it has to be the manager.

Trembley is likeable and popular but this is a game of results not American Idol where group think sychophants jump on bandwagons.Trembley has conditioned himself to losing and has no fire in his belly.

Bring on Gary Allenson.

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Pete's reply: Hernandez pitched Tuesday night in Seattle, so he wasn't available last night.

I went out tonight and just finished watching the game on DVR, and all I can say is too bad the power didn't go out.

This team looks lazy. I do understand although I don't accept it that in September after being beat down all year long, guys are tired and hurt, but no excuse for this type of play in early June. Brian popped up the ball that was misplayed and could've had a double, but he did what is now his customary jog to 1B. During the bad throw by Giambi, he could've been safe at 2B if he hustled. He is a leader on this team, but he hasn't been acting like one. I was thrilled when they extended Brian because I never thought he would be complacent once he had the big deal, but watching him play lately, makes me question him.

Personally, I think Jones, Markakis and Roberts, could all use a few days off. I see no reason why Dave plays these guys every day. Markakis has been an iron man, but I still think a few days off here and there could only benefit him. I love Mora, but I don't think he 100% healthy, but a 50% version of Melvin is better than Wiggy. I now see why we were able to land Wiggy for what I thought was a steal of a deal...He is awful! No plate discipline.

I'm trying to see the logic in keeping Pie. I would like to see what he can do, but Friday's game was his only AB of this trip so while I know he would be scooped up on waivers, who cares if you have zero desire to use him as more than a pinch hitter. I would much rather see Pie get the AB's that Wiggy is getting, but clearly he isn't going to so why not bring up Oscar since he can play 1B and 3B, and let Wiggy be the 4th OFer.

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Pete's reply: Do you really think Oscar is going to benefit from sitting behind Mora and Huff instead of playing regularly in Norfolk. The reason Pie is here is because he can back up two outfield positions, provide some speed on the bases and, theoretically, play good defense. The Orioles are playing Reimold regularly, but Pie is a logical left-handed option.

Pete,what's up with the Sun and their posting of upcoming games? They have the O's playing in Oakland Tuesday night ,today.Are thet operating with a skeleton crew there?

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Pete's reply: We make mistakes like everybody else, but that shouldn't happen and we'll try harder.

To clarify to those who might not know, the modern treatment of an appendicitis means basically drilling three holes through your abdomen. You get most of your movement back after five days, but the soreness can linger for a very long time as can the potential to seriously injure those muscles. For a really athletic position like shortstop, its best to wait a few weeks (or months) for the scar tissue to heal before putting real strain on it. The hockey player probably said to himself, 'this is pretty much the end of the season, I can heal afterward'.

Two questions: has anyone (or would anyone) consider putting Melvin Mora at shortstop for two weeks, or even in a pinch? A few weeks ago Ty Wigginton made his first career appearance at shortstop. Since Mora stood 6 feet away and has ample experience there, and Wiggington has played extensively at third base, why didn't Trembley flip flop those two?

Also, for the bullpen situation, why can't The Brim Reaper become the situational lefty (unless they're going to have him close in hopes of propping up his trade value over the next 8 weeks)? Move Jim Johnson to the closer's role and move David Hernandez to a late-inning role. This season is not going anywhere, and I keep hearing about this incredible pitching numbers crunch that th O's will face in the next 18-24 months, so why not experiment with roles right now?

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Pete's reply: Last time I looked, Sherrill had saved seven straight and was on a roll. They just haven't had any save situations lately. As for Mora, if you do that you have both guys playing out of position instead of one.

Pete - you say Rojas in the blog and then reply Jolbert later....why did you think Rojas would even get a look when he's batting .160? We picked up Andino for his glove, so why consider a lesser version of the same? Also, any possibility we trade a bat like Wigginton or Huff for a SS prospect?

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Pete's reply: That was kind of a fluid period last night. I thought it would be Jolbert. Jeff thought it might be Rojas. I kind of waffled on it, then put up both of them. Now, I don't know if they'll even make a move.

Is the trainer who sent Izturis to the hospital (instead of giving him some Advil or Pepto) the same guy who caught Elrod's stroke symptoms a few years ago?  If it is, maybe that guy could pick some lottery numbers for me.