After back to back starts where the starter got through only 4 innings, it's time for the Orioles to make some changes to their rotation/bullpen. While the offense keeps clicking along, the pitching continues to be an issue with this club. Here are the internal options that I would go to to try and help out the staff the rest of the season.
1. Dennis Sarfate back to the bullpen.
It's time to end the Dennis-as-a-starter experiment. He's had 3 shots at it, and while I think he has had some rough luck with bad defense, he simply can't throw enough strikes (or enough good pitches, for that matter). Even though he had a rough July in the pen, he has been solid overall there this season. He should be in a long-relief role for this team.
2- Call up Hayden Penn, DFA Lance Cormier.
DFA (Designate for assignment) Cormier to make room for Penn. Penn has been very good at Norfolk his last couple times out, and he should get a shot again in the big leagues. He has been pretty badly snakebit, as the last couple times he has been expected to be called up, something odd has happened. (Most recently the shard of a bat hitting him in the leg and making him get stitches) It's time for Penn to put up or shut up at the Major League level though. Next year he has to be on the ML roster, as he will be out of options. Let's get him as many starts up here as possible this year to see if he can be a guy that is in the rotation next season.
As for Cormier, after being pretty solid as a mop-up man for a while, the wheels have come off. With Penn taking Sarfate's spot in the rotation, Sarfate takes Cormier's role in the bullpen.
3- Call up Kam Mickolio, send down Rocky Cherry.
Am I over-reacting to Cherry's awful performance last night? Probably, since the Orioles most likely could have escaped the 7th unharmed if Ramon Hernandez hadn't completely botched a run-down. However, Mickolio has been great at AAA, and would probably be an upgrade to Cherry. The Orioles are still trying to find that 7th inning bridge to Jim Johnson/George Sherrill as their two most reliable options are now gone (Matt Albers out for the season, Chad Bradford in Tampa Bay).
4- Give Chris Waters one more look.
Waters was great in his debut, twirling a gem against the Angels. Start number 2? Not so much. I think he pitched well enough in that first start that he has to get a third chance. However, the leash needs to be short on Waters. This guy isn't a top prospect, and if he puts up another stinker in his next start, that should be it for him. If that happens, it's time to give Brad Bergeson his chance. Bergeson has been fantastic at AA Bowie this season, and is the most major league ready of all the pitchers at Bowie right now. I'd say we see how Waters does Friday night in Detroit, and if it doesn't go at least somewhat well, Bergeson should get the shot next week during the homestand.
5- As well as the offense has played, I do have one complaint.
Lou Montanez needs to be in the line-up. I know the guy is 26. I know he never had any sort of success before this year, and that was at AA. But the guy was the 3rd overall pick in the draft, he has some talent. I think at best he may become a 4th outfielder, but let's at least give him the at-bats up here to find out. I'd love for him to get a ton of starts in center over Jay Payton with Adam Jones out, but apparently he is still uncomfortable out there. That said, he should be in left or at DH almost every day the rest of the season. Rotate days off for Scott, Millar (especially) and Mora and get Montanez in the line-up. As soon as he feels comfortable enough to play center, get him out there instead of Payton.
The O's are in Cleveland right now, and after losing last night, will have their 3 most reliable starters on the mound for the remaining 3 games of the series. Garrett Olson goes tonight in a battle of lefties against Jeremy Sowers of the Tribe.
Keywords: Baltimore Orioles
