Jason Grimsley

Manager Lee Mazzilli kept Sammy Sosa on the bench for a second consecutive game yesterday, but the slumping outfielder will be back in the Orioles' lineup for today's series opener against the New York Yankees. "It was just a couple of days," said Mazzilli, who met with Sosa for nearly 35 minutes before Saturday's game to discuss the outfielder's struggles. "He's going to be back and we expect him to go play and do what he does best." It marked the first time Sosa, 36, has sat on consecutive days since he returned from the disabled list on May 24 after being out for about three weeks with an abscess and staph infection on the bottom of his left foot.

Yesterday Triple-A International League Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 7, Ottawa 1: Left-hander Allen Davis gave up five hits, struck out four and walked one in 7 1/3 innings to lead the Red Barons (43-44) over the host Lynx (42-44). Double-A Eastern League Bowie 4, New Britain 0: Eric DuBose struck out 10 and walked one as the Baysox (43-43) shut out the visiting Rock Cats (37-50). Reliever Jason Grimsley, on a rehabilitation assignment for the Orioles, pitched one inning, allowing one hit and striking out two. Single-A Carolina League Myrtle Beach at Frederick, ppd.: The doubleheader between the Keys (5-6)

On Billy Rowell, 6-foot-5, 17-year-old infielder drafted ninth overall by the Orioles on Tuesday Strengths -- When you talk about a five-tool player, you usually talk about five average tools. Billy has a chance to have plus tools all across the board. He has an above-average arm, above-average power. He is a plus runner; when he strides he gets a lot of ground. This guy could be a monster when all is said and done. He was in our mix [in the first round] had he been available. Weaknesses -- Biggest thing for Billy is plate discipline and taking the same kind of swing no matter what pitch is thrown at him and utilizing the outer half of plate more.

If Orioles Miguel Tejada, Brian Roberts and Jay Gibbons have used anabolic steroids in the past, as former Orioles reliever Jason Grimsley alleges in a federal affidavit, the league wouldn't have publicized it before last season. But this much is certain: The trio did not fail tests for anabolic steroids since the start of 2005, when MLB's testing became public. In fact, no big league ballplayer has been suspended for failing a drug test since New York Yankees outfielder Matt Lawton on Nov. 2, 2005.

Even the most optimistic Orioles fan would have to concede that the team ended the regular season in a truly brutal manner. Not only did the O's lose 9-0 to the Red Sox on Sunday, but they finished the season 27 games back and their 70 wins were the fewest since 2002. And then there's the IRS agent's affidavit (reported this past weekend by the Los Angeles Times) containing relief pitcher Jason Grimsley's claim that three current Orioles have used anabolic steroids. Naturally, it had to be three of the team's top players: Miguel Tejada, Brian Roberts and Jay Gibbons.

The attorney for former Orioles reliever Jason Grimsley told The Arizona Republic that Grimsley did not attribute steroid use to Orioles Miguel Tejada, Brian Roberts or Jay Gibbons in an interview with federal investigators in April. "As to all five players [including the Houston Astros' Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte] named, Jason did not attribute steroid use to any of them," the attorney, Ed Novak, said in yesterday's edition of the Republic. "There was no mention of Roberts or Gibbons at all," Novak said.

Moves Baseball BRAVES: Recalled P Macay McBride from Triple-A Richmond. ORIOLES: Activated OF B.J. Surhoff from 15-day DL. Added P James Baldwin to roster. Optioned 1B Alejandro Freire to Double-A Bowie. Placed P Jason Grimsley on 15-day DL. WHITE SOX: Sent P Matt Smith outright to Double-A Charlotte. Basketball BULLS: Re-signed F Othella Harrington. KINGS: Named Daniel Shapiro strength and conditioning coach. PISTONS: Signed Kings G-F Maurice Evans to offer sheet. SUPERSONICS: Re-signed restricted free-agent G Damien Wilkins, matching five-year, $15 million offer sheet made by Timberwolves.

BaseballAngels: Traded P Brian Anderson to Indians for P Jason Grimsley and P Pep Harris. Agreed to terms with P Kevin Humphreys on minor-league contract.Blue Jays: Named Sal Butera major-league advance scout. Signed P Tim Crabtree, P Marty Janzen, P Woody Williams and P Paul Spoljaric to one-year contracts.Cardinals: Invited P Mike Moore to training camp.Dodgers: Signed OF Todd Hollandsworth, IF Mike Busch and P Jesus Martinez.Orioles: Signed OF Sherman Obando to one-year contract. Released IF-OF Rod Robertson.

Orioles pitching coach Ray Miller will undergo surgery Oct. 12 to treat an aneurysm below his heart, and his recovery could determine whether he remains in baseball or retires to his home in New Athens, Ohio. "That will dictate everything," he said. The procedure will take place at Johns Hopkins Hospital, with an estimated recovery time of eight weeks. Miller left the team during an August trip to Oakland and was given four medical options. "None of them were good," he said. He declined to have surgery over the winter, but was urged to get it done by October.

Baseball Baltimore Orioles -- P Jim Palmer has accepted invitation to spring training.Boston Red Sox -- Extended contract of general manager Lou Gorman through 1994. Agreed to terms with IF/OF Denny Walling (.220, 1 HR, 19 RBI with St. Louis Cardinals) on minor-league contract.California Angels -- Agreed to terms with P Matt Keough on minor-league contract.Detroit Tigers -- P Paul Gibson (5-4, 3.05 ERA) won $565,000 salary in arbitration case. Club had offered $350,000.Houston Astros -- Agreed to terms with OF Eric Anthony (.192, 10, 29)