CLEVELAND - -In the first two weeks of September, the Orioles promoted six relievers and acquired another, left-hander Sean Henn, in a minor league trade.
The hope was that the additions would bolster a tired bullpen and give several pitchers an opportunity to show that they belong at the major league level. What it has done instead is reveal a lack of organizational depth in that area and likely made several necessary offseason roster decisions much easier to make.
In the first 21 games this month, the Orioles bullpen has a 6.43 ERA, having allowed 50 earned runs in 70 innings.
"Opportunity doesn't last forever," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "These games in September are just as important as they are in June, July and August. Opportunities are provided, but it's up to the individual to take advantage of the opportunity and leave a positive impression on those people that make decisions."
Few Orioles have done that in a bullpen in which eight of 12 members have ERAs over 5.00 this month, including four with ERAs over 10.00. Henn, who was acquired from the Minnesota Twins, has made five scoreless appearances, though he did allow an inherited runner to score in his most recent appearance. Alberto Castillo, another left-handed specialist, has been Trembley's most reliable relief option this month as the 34-year-old has a 2.25 ERA in 13 appearances since rejoining the club.
But the other additions have mostly faltered. Right-hander Bob McCrory, once considered one of the organization's most promising young relievers, has allowed nine earned runs, 11 hits and five walks in four outings this month spanning just 2 2/3 innings. Chris Lambert has a 6.75 ERA this month, while Chris Waters' stands at 10.13 and Dennis Sarfate's at 6.75.
Those four, along with right-handers Matt Albers and Brian Bass, are candidates to be taken off the 40-man roster in the offseason.
"It's kind of spread," said Trembley, who has also watched his two best relievers, right-handers Jim Johnson and Danys Baez, struggle this month. "You have to keep the ball in the ballpark. You can't give free passes by hitting people and walking people. You have to be able to field your position, hold runners. If you can't do that, you're not a major league pitcher. It's that simple. The opportunity is provided, but if you show on a repetitive basis that you can't do those things, you eliminate yourself."
Tillman's swan song
