May 16, 2009|By Dan Connolly | Dan Connolly,dan.connolly@baltsun.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - -The Orioles made the official announcement Friday night that left-hander Rich Hill will make his Orioles debut Saturday against the Kansas City Royals, but the real mystery surrounding Hill's promotion remained.
"Whatever the corresponding move that needs to be made, I can't tell you right now because I don't know right now," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said during his pre-game media session. "There's all kinds of different possibilities, and I'll leave that all up to you guys to go with your guesses and estimations."
The Orioles will make one of five moves before Hill throws a pitch Saturday. They could place either designated hitter Luke Scott (shoulder) or center fielder Adam Jones (hamstring) on the disabled list, they could send outfielders Nolan Reimold or Lou Montanez to Triple-A Norfolk, or they could request waivers on outfielder Felix Pie with the hopes of sending him to Norfolk.
Much of it depends on when Scott and Jones are ready to play. If both can't go Saturday, one likely will be placed on the DL - which will create an unhappy Oriole.
Scott, who bruised his left shoulder Sunday, is the most likely to be shelved because he has already missed five days. He took 25 swings off a tee again Friday and said his shoulder feels about "75 to 80 percent," up from about 60 percent Thursday. Losing 10 more days is not something he wants to happen.
"I am almost ready, so the DL is out of the question," Scott said.
Jones, who left Wednesday's game with a slight hamstring strain and hasn't attempted to run at full speed since, was also out of Friday's lineup but wanted to play. He, too, was adamant he doesn't need a DL stint.
If both are available, then either Montanez, who is hitting .220 in 41 at-bats, or Reimold, who was 1-for-5 in his big league debut Thursday, likely would be demoted. Both were in Friday's lineup.
Making a move with Pie is less likely. He has six hits in his first 19 May at-bats and could be claimed if the Orioles attempted to take him off their 25-man roster.
Reimold's delayed milestone
Reimold's first major league hit against Ron Mahay in the seventh inning Thursday was a big moment for the 25-year-old. But he had to wait for a few seconds to make sure it was legitimate.
The single up the middle was snagged by second baseman Alberto Callaspo, but his off-balance throw bounced in the dirt and out of first baseman Billy Butler's glove. Reimold and first base coach John "T-Bone" Shelby knew he was safe but weren't sure it would be ruled a hit.
"I was on first, and T-Bone was like, 'All right, let's see if they give it to you.' Like five seconds passed and then he told me they scored it a hit," Reimold said.
After the game, Reimold said he had so many text messages from friends and family that his in-box was full. He hasn't received the ball yet but said he would send it home to his parents.
"I'd probably lose it, with all my traveling around," he joked.
Hendrickson accepts role
Mark Hendrickson, who was moved to the bullpen Thursday to make room for Hill, said he is most disappointed that he hasn't pitched as well as he feels he can.
"I am not going to sugarcoat it: I think even as a group, as starters, I don't think we have done our jobs going deep into games consistently," said Hendrickson, who was 1-4 with a 6.35 ERA in seven starts. "For me, that is something I wanted to do a little more consistently."
The Orioles signed Hendrickson this winter as a long reliever with the potential to start, but because of injuries and ineffectiveness by others, he has been only in the rotation. The numbers bear out that decision: He is 48-65 with a 5.31 ERA in 161 starts and 3-2 with a 3.32 ERA in 61 relief appearances.
"In the past I have liked the way the ball comes out of my hand in the bullpen, and I think the results have shown I have been pretty effective in that role. It's not necessarily the easiest role in the world," Hendrickson said. "But I'm just concentrating on pitching better than I am pitching because I think I am capable of it."
Around the horn
Shortstop Cesar Izturis batted second Friday for the second consecutive night and third time this season. ... Friday's game was delayed 2 hours, 30 minutes. It began at 10:40 Eastern time. ... Catcher Matt Wieters hit his fourth homer of the season Friday in the first inning for Triple-A Norfolk, one day after a two-homer performance. He is hitting .282 with four homers and 18 RBIs. ... Norfolk third baseman Scott Moore re-injured his right thumb, which he had fractured last year. He will be re-evaluated Friday and likely will be placed on the DL. ... Double-A Bowie second baseman Paco Figueroa is expected to be placed on the disabled list after leaving Thursday's game with a pain in his side.
