KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The day after his temporary demotion, reliever Gregg Olson still was feeling the sting of the most discouraging moment of his pro career.
"I'm in the same mood," he said. "I've just had a little bit longer to think about it."
Olson pitched a scoreless inning of middle relief on Friday night, andlooked aggressive on the mound, which left room to wonder if the bullpen realignment was something of a wake-up call. Olson did not entirely dismiss the possibility.
"I guess there's not a much bigger motivation than having somebody tell you you can't do the job," he said.
Olson went to the bullpen on Friday afternoon to sort out his thoughts and emotions after he was informed that he no longer was the closer, but he wasn't alone out there for long. He was joined by relief mates Jim Poole and Todd Frohwirth, who provided a sounding board for his frustration.