Pregame Dave (Koji and batting order updates)
Dave Trembley could not update the Koji Uehara situation because he is scheduled to be examined by team orthopedist John Wilckens later in the afternoon, but it appears that Triple-A pitcher David Hernandez will be called up to make Koji's scheduled start on Sunday.
"We're in a situation where we have a backup plan,'' Trembley said.
That plan became apparent when Hernandez was removed from a game earlier in the week after pitching four perfect innings.
The situation with Uehara will remain uncertain regardless of the outcome of today's examination of his elbow, which he described as "fatigued." His schedule has had to be manipulated several times during the first three months of the season and it is doesn't appear that is likely to change.
I asked Trembley today what he would do -- hypothetically -- if it turns out that Koji can really only be effective as a starter every six or seven days. He didn't answer directly, but you can read between the lines.
"I don't know how you would pitch him like that with five starters,'' Trembley said. "We're going with five starters until the rosters expand (in September). I think what we've tried to do, whenever possible, when we can pitch him on six days, we've done that."
Trembley also announced that he has moved Nolan Reimold into the No. 5 slot in the batting order and moved Melvin Mora down to No. 7.
"I would say that Melvin is going to hit seventh,'' Trembley said. "Maybe he'll knock in some runs from the seven spot...I feel Nolan Reimold is ready to hit up in the lineup. I did a lot of thinking about it. People were circling the wagons on that question a month ago, but we've been patient."
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Comments
I love Mora, as a person, and formerly as a ballplayer. But, not as a ballplayer from the 5 spot.
Posted by: kory | June 26, 2009 4:54 PM
Roberts 2b
Markakis rf
Jones cf
Scott dh
Reimold lf
Hoff 1b
Mora 3b
Weiters c
Andino ss
Posted by: jay | June 26, 2009 4:59 PM
Hey Pete, off lineup subject, any thoughts on Sir Sidney's latest?
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Pete's reply: I've got to get some more info. Sounds like typical Sidney not thinking before he acts.
Posted by: punk flamingo | June 26, 2009 5:25 PM
Trembley should have gotten Jones the heck out of the 3rd slot weeks ago when it was clear he was swingin' at nearly everything out of the strike zone and dropped him down in the order until he got straightened out. Scott in the 4th slot is also pretty darned stupid. He should keep the rookies out of the pressure slots until they secure their big league legs. What the hell is wrong with this guy?! And when the heck is he going to make better use of the sacrifice?? This is really tough to look at. I am 70 and this is my team, 'cause I've been passionately following them for a helluva long time, and I've seen it done right many, many times and at times with far less talent than we have now. When are the Oriole manager's going to play to win instead of trying to make everyone on the bench happy?! A utility player is the guy who plays when someone goes down with an injury such as with andino. And lastly, I can live with getting beat by the better teams, ....but giving games away routinely is just not acceptable!! We're all sick of this!!!
Posted by: Tom Kocher | June 26, 2009 5:28 PM
Tom:
My response to you is interesting, because I respect all your opinions and disagree with many of them. I learned most of what I know about managing from Earl Weaver, so I believe in playing everybody on the roster, and I don't believe in the sacrifice bunt (except late in the game when you really, really need just one run -- or sometimes with runners on first and second with nobody out). Computer simulations have also shown that batting orders are pretty irrelevant (though everybody "knows" somehow that they are important). Players' egos are tied up in them, but ideally you'd bat people in order of On Base Percentage, because your object is to send as many people to the plate as you can before you make 27 outs.
But really, I enjoyed your post.
Posted by: jds | June 26, 2009 5:57 PM
Tom
I am 66 and I agree with everything you said 100%. It is very frustrating to watch a team that can't bunt, that the manager is stuck on a set order even when it is obvious things have changed. I sad three weeks ago that Reimold needs to hit 5th and Mora 7th or 8th. And Jones need to be moved down or sat down until he stops swinging at everything within 2 feet of the plate.
Posted by: Marty Smedley | June 26, 2009 6:11 PM
Does anybody know how old Marty is?
(Sorry, I'm a little punchy after being swept by the Marlins.)
Posted by: Anonymous | June 26, 2009 6:33 PM
"People were circling the wagons on that question a month ago, but we've been patient."
Yea, no crap Dave. Seems like you were the only one in the world who thought it would be a good idea to keep Melvin in the 5 hole until now.
What exactly was the point of being "patient"? Let's be honest, you were appeasing a veteran as long as you possibly could before a mutiny.
Any legit manager would've dropped Mora weeks ago.
Unbelievable.
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Pete's reply: Disagree. Melvin had more than 100 RBI last year. He could have done this earlier, but not that much earlier. Oops, there I go again, apologizing for Trembley.
Posted by: Mark | June 26, 2009 7:02 PM
the best thing the orioles shall do in order to become a competitive team, is to fire dave trembley and the whole coaching staff, as i may seen in this season, with free agent and the so future players orioles play well agains top team, when they play weaker teams they suck, that way you won't even dreAM OF PLAYFOOFF
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Pete's reply: When you do that, who do you want to hire?
Posted by: alberto | June 26, 2009 7:09 PM
Hey Pete, how about BJ Surhoff as the manager of the future?
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Pete's reply: I'm not advocating a change, but I think BJ would be a very good manager if he wanted to manage. Right now, he wants to enjoy his kids while they're growing up.
Posted by: Luke | June 26, 2009 7:46 PM
The way fans turn on players (and managers) is appalling. Even when there is reason to criticize a player - like in the case of Mora's lack of power - it's like everyone forgets that he has been a solid citizen and a good player for a long time. I like the move to 7th, although I thought a move to 2nd might be good, shifting Jones to the 5-spot. Mora is getting on base, after all, and I liked some of the things he did hitting with Roberts on base in the past.
As for Koji, my take on it is that he is a proud player who has lost a lot since his glory days, and his success this year has been pure guts and passion, when his arm doesn't have it anymore to be a starter. I think a shift to the bullpen would be good: he can take the high-leverage situations that Ray might have taken, and we can continue to give Ray low leverage, mop-up duty until we can be certain about the health of his arm.
Trembley's doing alright: he just doesn't have the horses. He should reign it in on Pie, but I have a feeling McPhail is forcing him to hold onto a player he doesn't particularly have a need for.
Posted by: Orsulakfan | June 26, 2009 7:58 PM
I poseted under the Floodgates post, but get over yourselves for the whole "it's about time" nonsense with Mora.
If the move is made too soon and both players crumble, then what do you do? You've got over half a season left and you just screwed up the best rookie in baseball if you're DT. Everyone on here is tossing out what should be done when they don't have to face the consequences.
Plus, this is a team planning to win in 2010/11 not 2009. You're allowing talent to grow. It's not about moving Mora, it's all been about grooming Reimold.
Things are working out because they are taking their time. Tonight proved DT/AM were right, not any of you who wanted it a month ago.
This organization was in the cellar because they were erratic for so many years. There is a reason Golden State was picking in the NBA lottery last night. They had 47 starting lineups in 82 games.
Posted by: James C | June 27, 2009 12:12 AM
"Pete's reply: Disagree. Melvin had more than 100 RBI last year. He could have done this earlier, but not that much earlier. Oops, there I go again, apologizing for Trembley."
So now we base our decisions on what a guy did the year before?
This coming from a guy who repeatedly told me on the radio how Cabrera was too talented to give up on. Yet I'd point out how bad he was the year before and the year before etc...
Same rules don't apply? Cabrera STUNK for years and led the charge of people saying he had to stay in there. And he did and he drained this team.
Guess you can have it both ways huh Pete?
By the way, did you notice Roberts pull up on that ball in the hole last night? Nice effort!
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Pete's reply: Jeez, is there anybody you don't dislike? I find it interesting that you write constantly about accountability, but wouldn't think of putting your last name on your post or including your email in the email field like 99 percent of the other posters here do. As for being consistent, I'm not. I judge situations as they come and people as individuals. You might try it some time. One size doesn't fit all and the game isn't played in your Laz-E-Boy in front of the TV. Roberts pulled up on a ground ball? Jeez, I'll alert the rest of the media. We've been talking about that for two months.
Posted by: Mark | June 27, 2009 12:04 PM