The Orioles recalled relief pitcher Rocky Cherry yesterday to fill the roster spot vacated when Chad Bradford went to the Tampa Bay Rays in a waiver deal.
Cherry, who has pitched well at Triple-A Norfolk, will be given a chance to earn a permanent spot in the bullpen, manager Dave Trembley said.
Initial speculation had suggested the Orioles would call up a reliever to replace Bradford temporarily but would then recall right-hander Hayden Penn to start tomorrow or early next week. But Penn is suffering from a leg injury and might not be able to make his next start, Trembley said.
Chris Waters, who allowed one hit over eight innings in his debut Tuesday, will start tomorrow, staying on the schedule he followed in Norfolk. Dennis Sarfate will start in Cleveland on Monday, and Garrett Olson will follow Tuesday.
Trembley praised Bradford's work this season but said Thursday's trade, for a player to be named, fit with the Orioles' emphasis on youth.
"We're going to go with younger guys and give guys opportunities," he said. "That's in line with what our philosophy is going into next year."
Reliever Jamie Walker said he will miss Bradford, his good friend.
"It's hard enough to find guys who throw strikes, and then you get a proven one," Walker said. "You don't know what we're getting for him, so you just wonder what's going on. But that's not my job to make those decisions."
Walker, also the subject of trade speculation, said he's happy to be in Baltimore and hasn't thought about being moved.
Cherry, who turns 29 on Aug. 19, was acquired from the Chicago Cubs last year along with infielder Scott Moore in exchange for Steve Trachsel. He had pitched well for Chicago but struggled to a 7.71 ERA in 10 appearances for the Orioles. He had a 2.89 ERA in 37 1/3 innings for Norfolk this season.
"I'm glad to get another opportunity," he said. "I've just been throwing strikes."
Trembley said he's not sure how he will use Cherry but noted that he's largely a one- or two-inning reliever. The manager said he will experiment with new bullpen configurations, though Jim Johnson and George Sherrill will continue to pitch the eighth and ninth innings, respectively.
Penn, a former top prospect who has battled injuries for several years, is 6-7 with a 4.79 ERA at Norfolk. He has pitched well in his past three starts but suffered a gash when a broken bat hit him during his last outing. Trembley said the club will employ a "conservative" approach with Penn.
