Nanner
03-14-2004, 12:33 AM
So, they're leaning towards Sir Sid, R-Lo, Kurt Ainsworth and Eric DuBose. DuBose did look pretty good today. And the other three have looked solid. I actually would like Matt Riley in there in the 5th spot. I know he hasn't done well..... I still like him better than Omar Daal. :(
03/13/2004 6:22 PM ET
O's notes: Four spots likely set
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Lee Mazzilli does not want to make any promises or guarantees with three weeks left in Spring Training. The Orioles' manager did, however, give a strong hint Saturday about the makeup of his starting rotation.
Mazzilli said Sidney Ponson, Rodrigo Lopez, Kurt Ainsworth and Eric DuBose are likely to be his first four starters when the Orioles open the season April 4 against the Boston Red Sox. Mazzilli named Ponson the Opening Night starter two weeks ago, but the remaining four spots were in question.
Though there will be heavy competition for the fifth spot, Mazzilli appears to have essentially decided on the first four slots.
"If I had to say today, the four guys would be [Ponson, Lopez, Ainsworth and Lopez]," he said before Saturday's 7-1 loss to the Mets. "I would say that right now, they're pitching that way. Ainsworth pitched well yesterday, and you want him in the rotation. You want Rodrigo. You want Sidney and DuBose. You can't put a guarantee on anything, but I like what I see in those four guys."
Lopez, who was the team's No. 1 starter last season, was a favorite to land a rotation slot along with Ainsworth, who missed most of last season with a fractured right shoulder blade. DuBose, a left-hander who was a former No. 1 pick by the A's, has never broken camp with a Major League club. He was 3-6 with a 3.79 ERA in 17 appearances last season and has been effective this spring.
DuBose reported to camp 20 pounds lighter this spring and worked on a crisper fastball to complement his changeup, which is his best pitch.
Meanwhile, it looks as if Omar Daal, Matt Riley, Rick Bauer and Erik Bedard are competing for the fifth spot. Riley has struggled the most so far, allowing four runs in four innings with six walks.
"You still have three weeks left. You don't know with injuries what will happen," Mazzilli said. "And you've got Riley in the mix, as well. You've got four or five guys competing for one spot. We've got four quality guys. That's what makes the decision ... I am not going to say tougher, but it will take more time."
DuBose was solid again Saturday against the Mets, allowing one run in four innings. He has allowed three runs in 9 1/3 innings.
It's likely that one of the pitchers who doesn't win the No. 5 spot will become a long reliever and a spot starter.
Fehr makes appearance: Major League Baseball players union executive director Donald Fehr was at Fort Lauderdale Stadium before Saturday's game. Fehr, who is recovering from gallbladder surgery, declined to speak to the media but said he wanted to chat with players and listen to any concerns they have on the steroid issue.
Fehr and Commissioner Bud Selig testified at a congressional hearing Wednesday regarding drug testing in the National Football League and in Major League Baseball. On the same day, players union associate general counsel Mike Weiner met with Orioles players regarding several union issues.
Union rep Jay Gibbons said Orioles players are united with the union on all issues.
Game notes: Bauer took his lumps Saturday after feeling sluggish in the morning workout. He convinced Mazzilli to let him pitch, but he was shelled for five runs (three earned) and six hits in 2 2/3 innings. He yielded a two-run double to Danny Garcia in the fifth. After he was removed in the seventh with two runners on base, Bauer watched as Aaron Rakers gave up a booming three-run homer to Jason Phillips.
"He was sluggish out there, wasn't dropping his arm," Mazzilli said. "It wasn't a good day for the kid."
Jorge Julio, who allowed five runs in his previous outing, pitched a scoreless ninth inning. Miguel Tejada returned to the lineup after a day off and singled in three at-bats. He left Thursday's game with a strained right lower leg muscle. Brian Roberts was back in action after missing four games with a strained groin. He went 1-for-3.
Opening day preview: The Orioles face the Red Sox for the second time in four days on Sunday. It will be a prelude to the season opener April 4 at Camden Yards. Baltimore's No. 1 starter, Ponson, will face Boston's main man, Pedro Martinez, at City of Palms Park.
Tidbits: Minor league coaches Cedric Landrum and Matt Martin were the latest to leave for Sarasota, Fla., for the opening of the team's minor league camp. Richard Stahl and Jeff Montani have been assigned to minor league camp. The two pitchers were added to big-league camp for depth. ... Luis Matos was cleared to play but was not in Saturday's lineup. He is likely to return Monday against the Twins. He has missed the past nine days with a superficial stress fracture of his shin.
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
03/13/2004 6:22 PM ET
O's notes: Four spots likely set
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Lee Mazzilli does not want to make any promises or guarantees with three weeks left in Spring Training. The Orioles' manager did, however, give a strong hint Saturday about the makeup of his starting rotation.
Mazzilli said Sidney Ponson, Rodrigo Lopez, Kurt Ainsworth and Eric DuBose are likely to be his first four starters when the Orioles open the season April 4 against the Boston Red Sox. Mazzilli named Ponson the Opening Night starter two weeks ago, but the remaining four spots were in question.
Though there will be heavy competition for the fifth spot, Mazzilli appears to have essentially decided on the first four slots.
"If I had to say today, the four guys would be [Ponson, Lopez, Ainsworth and Lopez]," he said before Saturday's 7-1 loss to the Mets. "I would say that right now, they're pitching that way. Ainsworth pitched well yesterday, and you want him in the rotation. You want Rodrigo. You want Sidney and DuBose. You can't put a guarantee on anything, but I like what I see in those four guys."
Lopez, who was the team's No. 1 starter last season, was a favorite to land a rotation slot along with Ainsworth, who missed most of last season with a fractured right shoulder blade. DuBose, a left-hander who was a former No. 1 pick by the A's, has never broken camp with a Major League club. He was 3-6 with a 3.79 ERA in 17 appearances last season and has been effective this spring.
DuBose reported to camp 20 pounds lighter this spring and worked on a crisper fastball to complement his changeup, which is his best pitch.
Meanwhile, it looks as if Omar Daal, Matt Riley, Rick Bauer and Erik Bedard are competing for the fifth spot. Riley has struggled the most so far, allowing four runs in four innings with six walks.
"You still have three weeks left. You don't know with injuries what will happen," Mazzilli said. "And you've got Riley in the mix, as well. You've got four or five guys competing for one spot. We've got four quality guys. That's what makes the decision ... I am not going to say tougher, but it will take more time."
DuBose was solid again Saturday against the Mets, allowing one run in four innings. He has allowed three runs in 9 1/3 innings.
It's likely that one of the pitchers who doesn't win the No. 5 spot will become a long reliever and a spot starter.
Fehr makes appearance: Major League Baseball players union executive director Donald Fehr was at Fort Lauderdale Stadium before Saturday's game. Fehr, who is recovering from gallbladder surgery, declined to speak to the media but said he wanted to chat with players and listen to any concerns they have on the steroid issue.
Fehr and Commissioner Bud Selig testified at a congressional hearing Wednesday regarding drug testing in the National Football League and in Major League Baseball. On the same day, players union associate general counsel Mike Weiner met with Orioles players regarding several union issues.
Union rep Jay Gibbons said Orioles players are united with the union on all issues.
Game notes: Bauer took his lumps Saturday after feeling sluggish in the morning workout. He convinced Mazzilli to let him pitch, but he was shelled for five runs (three earned) and six hits in 2 2/3 innings. He yielded a two-run double to Danny Garcia in the fifth. After he was removed in the seventh with two runners on base, Bauer watched as Aaron Rakers gave up a booming three-run homer to Jason Phillips.
"He was sluggish out there, wasn't dropping his arm," Mazzilli said. "It wasn't a good day for the kid."
Jorge Julio, who allowed five runs in his previous outing, pitched a scoreless ninth inning. Miguel Tejada returned to the lineup after a day off and singled in three at-bats. He left Thursday's game with a strained right lower leg muscle. Brian Roberts was back in action after missing four games with a strained groin. He went 1-for-3.
Opening day preview: The Orioles face the Red Sox for the second time in four days on Sunday. It will be a prelude to the season opener April 4 at Camden Yards. Baltimore's No. 1 starter, Ponson, will face Boston's main man, Pedro Martinez, at City of Palms Park.
Tidbits: Minor league coaches Cedric Landrum and Matt Martin were the latest to leave for Sarasota, Fla., for the opening of the team's minor league camp. Richard Stahl and Jeff Montani have been assigned to minor league camp. The two pitchers were added to big-league camp for depth. ... Luis Matos was cleared to play but was not in Saturday's lineup. He is likely to return Monday against the Twins. He has missed the past nine days with a superficial stress fracture of his shin.
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.