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05-05-2003, 09:54 AM
...... and Mighty Mel Mora is hot, hot, hot!!!
Being cautious, O's put Surhoff on DL
Club fears sore hamstring could affect rebuilt knee; streaky Mora rises to .304
By Roch Kubatko
Sun Staff
Originally published May 5, 2003
Concerned that a new injury could have an effect on the old one, the Orioles placed B.J. Surhoff on the disabled list yesterday as the corresponding roster move to recalling pitcher Eric DuBose from Triple-A Ottawa.
Surhoff was checked by the training staff and received the first treatment on his pulled right hamstring early in the morning, and the Orioles waited until shortly before the first pitch to make their decision. Surhoff was convinced he would miss only "a handful of games" if allowed to remain active, but that was too much for team officials.
The injury occurred as Surhoff ran out a double in the eighth inning of Saturday's game. He missed most of last season with the Atlanta Braves after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, which led to reconstructive surgery and a minor league contract from the Orioles in February.
The Orioles estimated that Surhoff could miss up to a week, which was too long for a team tired of maneuvering through games with a depleted bench. But more consideration was given to the hamstring affecting his knee.
"B.J.'s a big part of this ballclub," manager Mike Hargrove said, "and we don't like being without his services. But it's better to be safe than sorry. When he plays, he's going to be playing in the field, and he needs his legs. We don't want this thing to linger all year long."
Surhoff was batting .277 with one home run and 15 RBIs in 23 games. During his past 10 games, he was batting .389 (14-for-36) with 12 RBIs.
"When I came in this morning, I didn't think I was going on the DL, so it was a surprise and a change," Surhoff said. "I know they were trying to look out for my best interest, but I was definitely hoping to avoid that and the decision wouldn't have to be made so quickly."
Surhoff said he understood the Orioles' concerns about his knee. "The hamstring can be very crucial in the stability of the ACL. That has a lot to do with their thinking, but I just wish I could have had a couple more days."
The Orioles have lost both halves of their left-field platoon. Marty Cordova underwent surgery April 24 to remove bone chips from his right elbow.
By putting Surhoff on the DL, the Orioles didn't have to return outfielder Larry Bigbie or infielder Jose Leon to Triple-A Ottawa. Bigbie was the likely candidate to leave.
Bigbie and Leon made up half the Orioles' bench yesterday, joining catcher Geronimo Gil and Rule 5 infielder Jose Morban. All four players were healthy, giving Hargrove more options than in past games.
Pitcher Rakers acquired
The Orioles swung a minor league deal over the weekend, acquiring right-hander Jason Rakers from the Cleveland Indians for future considerations and sending him to Ottawa.
Rakers, 29, was 0-1 with a 3.89 ERA in 2 1/3 innings at Triple-A Buffalo. He threw one inning for the Indians in 1998 and two in 1999, and appeared in 11 games with the Kansas City Royals in 2000.
Ottawa could use some pitching help. Travis Driskill will be recalled today from Ottawa, and John Stephens went on the disabled list Friday after being hit on the foot by a line drive.
"We need to pick up an arm or two to fill the holes," said Darrell "Doc" Rodgers, director of minor league operations.
The Orioles had an easy time scouting Rakers, who will pitch in relief at Ottawa. He appeared in one game against the Lynx this year and three others against Double-A Bowie after the Indians sent him to Akron.
Rakers is no relation to Bowie's Aaron Rakers. Their names are pronounced differently.
Mora on a roll
Once a super-utility player, Melvin Mora has become a staple of the Orioles' lineup.
Mora has started 13 of the past 14 games, showing up in left field yesterday and robbing Angel Berroa of a home run with a leaping catch.
By going 2-for-4 with a double, Mora raised his average to .304. He has hit safely in 11 of his past 14 games, batting .383 (18-for-47).
"Melvin over the last couple of years has shown that he's a streaky hitter," Hargrove said. "When Melvin gets hot, I don't care if Superman's on the mound, he's going to get his hits. Conversely, whenever he's not hot, you or I could be pitching and he's not going to get a hit. You try to run the string as far as you can take it."
Copyright © 2003, The Baltimore Sun
Being cautious, O's put Surhoff on DL
Club fears sore hamstring could affect rebuilt knee; streaky Mora rises to .304
By Roch Kubatko
Sun Staff
Originally published May 5, 2003
Concerned that a new injury could have an effect on the old one, the Orioles placed B.J. Surhoff on the disabled list yesterday as the corresponding roster move to recalling pitcher Eric DuBose from Triple-A Ottawa.
Surhoff was checked by the training staff and received the first treatment on his pulled right hamstring early in the morning, and the Orioles waited until shortly before the first pitch to make their decision. Surhoff was convinced he would miss only "a handful of games" if allowed to remain active, but that was too much for team officials.
The injury occurred as Surhoff ran out a double in the eighth inning of Saturday's game. He missed most of last season with the Atlanta Braves after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, which led to reconstructive surgery and a minor league contract from the Orioles in February.
The Orioles estimated that Surhoff could miss up to a week, which was too long for a team tired of maneuvering through games with a depleted bench. But more consideration was given to the hamstring affecting his knee.
"B.J.'s a big part of this ballclub," manager Mike Hargrove said, "and we don't like being without his services. But it's better to be safe than sorry. When he plays, he's going to be playing in the field, and he needs his legs. We don't want this thing to linger all year long."
Surhoff was batting .277 with one home run and 15 RBIs in 23 games. During his past 10 games, he was batting .389 (14-for-36) with 12 RBIs.
"When I came in this morning, I didn't think I was going on the DL, so it was a surprise and a change," Surhoff said. "I know they were trying to look out for my best interest, but I was definitely hoping to avoid that and the decision wouldn't have to be made so quickly."
Surhoff said he understood the Orioles' concerns about his knee. "The hamstring can be very crucial in the stability of the ACL. That has a lot to do with their thinking, but I just wish I could have had a couple more days."
The Orioles have lost both halves of their left-field platoon. Marty Cordova underwent surgery April 24 to remove bone chips from his right elbow.
By putting Surhoff on the DL, the Orioles didn't have to return outfielder Larry Bigbie or infielder Jose Leon to Triple-A Ottawa. Bigbie was the likely candidate to leave.
Bigbie and Leon made up half the Orioles' bench yesterday, joining catcher Geronimo Gil and Rule 5 infielder Jose Morban. All four players were healthy, giving Hargrove more options than in past games.
Pitcher Rakers acquired
The Orioles swung a minor league deal over the weekend, acquiring right-hander Jason Rakers from the Cleveland Indians for future considerations and sending him to Ottawa.
Rakers, 29, was 0-1 with a 3.89 ERA in 2 1/3 innings at Triple-A Buffalo. He threw one inning for the Indians in 1998 and two in 1999, and appeared in 11 games with the Kansas City Royals in 2000.
Ottawa could use some pitching help. Travis Driskill will be recalled today from Ottawa, and John Stephens went on the disabled list Friday after being hit on the foot by a line drive.
"We need to pick up an arm or two to fill the holes," said Darrell "Doc" Rodgers, director of minor league operations.
The Orioles had an easy time scouting Rakers, who will pitch in relief at Ottawa. He appeared in one game against the Lynx this year and three others against Double-A Bowie after the Indians sent him to Akron.
Rakers is no relation to Bowie's Aaron Rakers. Their names are pronounced differently.
Mora on a roll
Once a super-utility player, Melvin Mora has become a staple of the Orioles' lineup.
Mora has started 13 of the past 14 games, showing up in left field yesterday and robbing Angel Berroa of a home run with a leaping catch.
By going 2-for-4 with a double, Mora raised his average to .304. He has hit safely in 11 of his past 14 games, batting .383 (18-for-47).
"Melvin over the last couple of years has shown that he's a streaky hitter," Hargrove said. "When Melvin gets hot, I don't care if Superman's on the mound, he's going to get his hits. Conversely, whenever he's not hot, you or I could be pitching and he's not going to get a hit. You try to run the string as far as you can take it."
Copyright © 2003, The Baltimore Sun