Since we last talked:
- The Orioles signed Brian Matusz, giving him a bonus of around 3.2 million and a major league contract. He probably won't pitch in the minors this year, but I'd expect him to pitch in the Arizona Fall League later in the year. I still think he will start at Frederick next season, with a promotion to Bowie happening sometime during the season.
- Dennis Sarfate and Garret Olson were moved out of the starting rotation. Sarfate was a no brainer, as he had actually been pretty effective out of the bullpen. I still think he is a guy that can help out from the pen. Olson was a bit of a surprised to me. Yes, he hasn't looked good his last few times out and his control has been awful, but I thought the Orioles would let him finish out the season in the rotation. Olson is now at AAA, but I'd expect him to be back up when the rosters expand in September. Radhames Liz was called up in his place and will start Friday night against the Yankees. We'll see if Liz' short stint back down at AAA did anything to fix his control issues he had while in Baltimore earlier in the season.
- George Sherrill went on the DL and Kam Mickolio was called up from AAA. It's not necessarily a bad thing, since Sherrill had thrown a lot more innings than he is used to this year, and this allows Mickolio a shot to pitch in the majors, which he deserved after being lights-out at Norfolk. It also gives Jim Johnson a shot to close games. He has been fantastic in the 8th inning this year, so there isn't any reason to think he won't do just as well in the 9th. Chris Ray has also been rehabbing in the minors. If Ray can get back to where he was a few years ago, a back end of the 2009 bullpen including Johnson, Sherrill, and Ray would be dynamite. Throw in Matt Albers (who has been allowed to start throwing again) and Dennis Sarfate, and you have to believe the core is there for a very solid bullpen next year.
- Melvin Mora has continued dominating American League pitching, and the offense as a whole has stayed hot. Mora, Brian Roberts, Nick Markakis, Aubrey Huff, and Luke Scott have all been hot, and Ramon Hernandez has hit as well. Basically, everyone who doesn't play shortstop has swung the bat really well. That includes Luis Montanez, who continues to impress at the plate. His batting eye looks solid, and he has a really smooth swing. They need to find out if he can play center, because if he can, he would be an ideal 4th outfielder for this team next season.
The O's are 5-5 in their last ten against the Indians, Tigers, and Red Sox, and have the Yankees in town for 3 games this weekend. Friday night will feature former Oriole Mike "Traitor Benedict Arnold Money-Hungry Never Won a World Series even though that and money are the only reasons he went to New York" Mussina going up against Radhames Liz.
(I have issues. I'll explain the Mussina fiasco some other time.)
Keywords: Baltimore Orioles
