Mussina

Barring a dramatic concession by Mike Mussina or the Orioles, the All-Star pitcher will become a free agent and he'll wear another uniform in another city next year.The Indians uniform. In Cleveland.That's just a guess, but an educated guess. Logically, Mussina with the Indians is a perfect fit.He could be joined there by Brady Anderson. If you think the breakdown of Mussina's negotiations increases the chances of Anderson, another potential free agent, re-signing with the Orioles, think about this: The breakdown may actually increase the chances of Anderson departing.

SEATTLE -- The Baltimore Orioles have been careful not to rush 1990 first-round draft choice Mike Mussina to the major leagues, but his time apparently has arrived.The club recalled him from the Class AAA Rochester Red Wings yesterday along with a pair of young relievers to replace veterans Jeff Ballard, Jeff Robinson and Paul Kilgus, who were the victims of a pitching purge.Mussina will make his first major-league start against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday at Comiskey Park, little more than a year after the Orioles made him the 20th choice overall in the June draft.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Right-hander Mike Mussina threw for 15 minutes yesterday, which normally wouldn't draw much attention this point in spring training. Not if Mussina were coming off a normal season.He isn't, of course. He is coming back from an injury-filled 1993 season that -- at least temporarily -- threw his future as one of the game's top starters into doubt. So, his first steps of the new season are being watched with great interest . . . and a certain sense of trepidation.The extended workout left him a little stiff, but he came away a little more confident about his prospects for a full recovery from the back and shoulder problems that limited his effectiveness through much of the 1993 season.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Mike Mussina isn't wearing a goatee this year, but nothing else has changed. He again came to camp unsigned and figures to stay that way until the March 11 contract-renewal deadline is close at hand.Last year, he sprouted the beard and dubbed himself "Rebel without a contract," vowing not to shave until he was under contract. This year, he is cleanshaven and seemingly unconcerned, though there has been little contact with the club about his contract for 1994.Serious negotiations didn't begin until yesterday, when agent Arn Tellum and Orioles assistant general manager Frank Robinson spoke by telephone for the first time since the club sent out contracts in December.

Mike Mussina and the California Angels have shared a common trend recently. When either is present, runs are a rarity.Mussina (11-4, 2.67 ERA) has not allowed an earned run in 15 innings, and just one in his past 18 innings. He has won four of his past five decisions and is 6-1 in eight starts following an Orioles loss.On the other hand, California hasn't scored a run in 22 innings. The struggling Angels were shut out in their past two games against an Oakland A's staff that has a 5.15 ERA.Mussina and the Angels meet tonight at Camden Yards as the Orioles and California open a three-game series.

At least they can't blame this one on an excessive pitch count.It didn't take long to determine that Mike Mussina would not give a typical performance last night at Camden Yards. All it took was a dozen pitches.When the Orioles' ace opened the game with full counts to each of the first two hitters, he was obviously in trouble. He labored through the first two innings, throwing almost half (59 of 120) of the pitches he would expend during the long evening.During that stretch, Mussina issued four walks, the most he's allowed in a game this season, as he tried to nitpick his way through the Tigers' lineup.

BOSTON -- Whether Mike Mussina is injured or just pitching poorly is irrelevant to the Orioles' postseason chances. What is relevant is that the timing is positively horrible. Couldn't be worse.A Mussina who isn't Mussina doesn't entirely kill off the possibility of the Orioles catching the Blue Jays . . .. . . but close.Mussina and Ben McDonald are, simply, the foundation of the Orioles' ability to contend. And when the foundation turns rubbery, what hope is there?The kind of hope that depends on Fernando Valenzuela and Arthur Rhodes winning all of their starts, and Jamie Moyer continuing not to miss a single step, and maybe the Jays forfeiting a couple of games for bad penmanship or bad language or something like that.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- If you call Mike Mussina, the Orioles' player representative, and he happens to be out at the moment, this is the message you will hear:"Hello, and welcome to the replacement baseball season. If you are having trouble reaching your trash collector, accountant or local contractor, you may want to try Florida or Arizona. However, if you wish to leave a message, please do so at this time, and I'll be sure to tell you when the real guys are going back to work."

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Mike Mussina's spring stayed on the bittersweet side yesterday, when Orioles manager Johnny Oates announced he will be the Opening Day starter April 4 at Camden Yards against the Kansas City Royals."