The Oriole Report

Well, the O’s have made some changes, but I’m going to wait until the dust settles before I recap all the moves. It looks like theres more to come…

The Orioles optioned RHP Jon Leicester back to AAA Norfolk, activating RHP Scott Williamson from the disabled list.

Grade: C-

I guess they think Williamson is ready to return, but he has pitched horrible in his rehab stints and talks as though he still needs to work some things out. I don’t know why they would bring him back if he isn’t ready yet and won’t pitch much or at all for a while. But maybe they know what they’re doing….

The Orioles optioned LHP Kurt Birkins back to AAA Norfolk and called up RHP Jon Leicester. Adam Loewen was moved to the 60 day DL to make room on the 40 man roster.

Grade: C

The Orioles just wanted a fresh arm to be the long man after Birkins pitched 3 innings on Sunday. The last spot in the bullpen has been a revolving door lately. Lets see what Leicester can do.

RHP Jaret Wright returns to the DL after one start and LHP Adam Loewen goes to the DL for the first time with a stress fracture in his pitching elbow. In their places LHP Kurt Birkins and RHP Todd Williams were called up from AAA Norfolk to fill their spots.

Grade: C+

Jaret Wright might not pitch again, his shoulder just won’t stop giving him problems. Adam Leowen is a big injury, he’ll be out at least 8-10 weeks. Kurt Birkins and Todd Williams were probably the right people to call up. Jeremy Guthrie and Brian Burres can slide into the rotation, at least for now. Hayden Penn just got surgery to remove a bone spur thats been in his elbow for 3 years, he’ll be back around August. The Orioles also have RHP Rob Bell and LHP Garrett Olson in AAA Norfolk. I’d like to see Olson get a shot eventually, I think he could be a fixture in our rotation for years to come.

The Orioles activated RHP Jaret Wright from the disabled list, sending RHP Jim Johnson back to AAA Norfolk.

Grade: C

Johnson was definitely the right pitcher to be sent down, but how long will Wright be on the active roster before he gets hurt again? And how effective will he be?

The Orioles designated catcher Alberto Castillo for assignment with the return of Ramon Hernandez from the disabled list.

Grade: B+

The Orioles should welcome Ramon Hernandez back with open arms. He will be a big improvement over the Paul Bako/Alberto Castillo platoon. And not only for the offense, but for the pitching as well. I’m happy to see Hernandez back, we shouldn’t have any glaring holes in our lineup now on most days. Castillo was basically a given to be cut to make room.

The Orioles placed Scott Williamson on the 15-day disabled list and called up RHP Jim Johnson from AAA Norfolk.

Grade: C+

Its a shame that Williamson has to go to the DL, he has been successful in his 6 appearances. He has pitched to a 1.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 10.80 K/9 in 5 innings so far this season. Hopefully he won’t be out too long and we can get him back into the bullpen as soon as possible. Jim Johnson will take his place. I like this because hes somebody that can go multiple innings and he can be optioned back to AAA whenever we see fit.

The Orioles took Jay Payton off the disabled list yesterday, sending Jon Knott back down to AAA Norfolk.

Grade: F

There is simply no possible way you can justify this move. And no, I’m not talking about bringing back Jay Payton from the DL. I’m talking about sending Jon Knott down to AAA, while Freddie Bynum gets to stay with the big club. I would seriously like to know when and how Bynum is going to be used. Certainly not as a late inning defensive replacement, not with Payton back - there is no need. Certainly not for a pinch runner late in the game, not with Payton back - theres is no need. The only possible situation that Freddie Bynum will be “needed” is if Jay Payton is already in the game, and our catcher gets to first base late in the game. Then, I guess Perlozzo could put in Bynum to run and then put the other catcher into the game to finish it off. But is that really more important than having a bat on the bench that can crush left handed pitching, a big Oriole weakness by the way, and is most likely a better hitter than Bynum, Paul Bako, and Alberto Castillo combined against right handed pitching. I guarantee that Jon Knott would have gotten much more playing time than Freddie Bynum, and also would have won the Orioles more games than him. Bynum is someone that could be easily replaced at any time, where Knott is a guy that the Orioles have never seemed to find, but when we do - we don’t use him. Pathetic.

The Orioles brought up outfielders Jon Knott and Adam Stern from AAA Norfolk, optioning Kurt Birkins back down to Norfolk and placing Corey Patterson on bereavement leave with the death of his grandfather.

Grade: B

Its about time Knott came up to the big club, odd since its only 2 weeks in, as long as hes used correctly he should help out the club alot. Birkins had to go and Stern will only be with the club for 3 days, as Patterson is expected to return on Wednesday. Freddie Bynum is going to start in center field in place of Patterson with Stern coming off the bench. Hopefully when Jay Payton comes off the DL, Knott will stay with the big club instead of Bynum. I’d also like to see JR House on the club at some point.

The Orioles placed Jaret Wright on the 15-day disabled list and recalled Brian Burress from AAA Norfolk.

Grade: C

I would have liked to have seen one of Jon Knott or JR House called up, but I guess they could use a rested arm after using everyone last night. I would hope they demote Burress after a couple days in favor of a bat for the bench.