Rotation

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -Orioles manager Dave Trembley said Thursday's game shouldn't be considered a tryout for Adam Eaton. Had it been, Eaton probably didn't help his chances of making the rotation. Facing essentially the New York Mets' Opening Day lineup, Eaton allowed five runs on nine hits and two walks over five innings, raising his spring ERA to 7.29. He needed 94 pitches over that span and was spared further damage when right fielder Oscar Salazar leaped to deny Brian Schneider of a two-run home run in the Mets' four-run fourth inning.

Eaton gets through 4 Adam Eaton, a favorite for one of the Orioles' available rotation spots after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies this spring, allowed two runs (one earned) in four innings in a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla. Eaton gave up three hits and a walk and recorded a first-pitch strike on 11 of 15 batters. After allowing both runs in the first inning, he retired the final eight Cardinals hitters he faced. Orioles manager Dave Trembley was satisfied with the outing but wasn't handing a rotation spot to Eaton yet. "He's got to keep pitching," Trembley said.

The Orioles yesterday officially shut down pitching ace Erik Bedard for the rest of the season, ending his breakout campaign and sending a patchwork starting rotation into more flux. Bedard was placed on the 60-day disabled list with a strained right oblique muscle as the club opened a roster spot for veteran right-hander Victor Zambrano, who was acquired yesterday from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations and then had his contract purchased by the Orioles from Triple-A Norfolk.

Another examination by team orthopedist Dr. Andrew Cosgarea has reinforced the Orioles' initial opinion that pitcher Adam Loewen won't need surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left elbow. Loewen visited Cosgarea on Monday, and the results will be forwarded to at least one other specialist for further evaluation. The Orioles believe Loewen will require eight weeks of rest before beginning a throwing program. They're hopeful he'll return toward the end of the season, perhaps by late August or early September.

The Orioles didn't rush to Jay Gibbons' defense yesterday. They chose instead to tread lightly, their steps and words measured. Players are hesitant to discuss the controversy swirling around Gibbons until more information becomes available. Many declined to comment. Others weren't available to the media before taking the field. According to a story that ran Sunday night on SI.com, Gibbons received shipments of testosterone and human growth hormone. The substances are banned by Major League Baseball and could lead to disciplinary action from the commissioner's office.

Chicago CubsManager: Jim Riggleman1998 record: 90-73, second placeNo. 1: Can Kerry Wood avoid elbow trouble and repeat his phenomenal rookie season?No. 2: The Sammy Sosa Watch will be on from his first at-bat. Can he hit 71?No. 3: Terry Mulholland doesn't know if he'll be in the rotation or pitching in relief. It appears he's needed most in the bullpen.No. 4: The lure of free-agent dollars may help Steve Trachsel break his disturbing pattern of pitching well only in even-numbered years.No.

Anaheim AngelsManager: Terry Collins1998 record: 85-77, second placeNo. 1: The Angels must assemble a capable -- and durable -- starting rotation. Tim Belcher is the only significant addition.No. 2: Club tries to tap great outfield depth to get a front-line starting pitcher by Opening Day.No. 3: Will the presence of Mo Vaughn create a more dynamic team chemistry?No. 4: Is promising third baseman Troy Glaus ready for prime time?No. 5: Can right fielder Tim Salmon shake off last year's injury problems and open the season as a solid MVP candidate?

Astros: Jeff Bagwell stole his 10th base of the season in the second inning, becoming the fourth Houston player to reach double figures in that category. Houston leads the majors with 75 steals.Braves: John Rocker has not allowed a run in his last 14 appearances.Cubs: Chicago has turned 55 double plays in 53 games. It had 107 all of '98.Devil Rays: Bobby Witt is the only member of the season-opening pitching rotation who hasn't been on the disabled list.

Official scoring -- DOWN -- Orioles pitchers beware: Errors will not be recognized this season at Camden Yards. ERAs to receive hydraulic lift.The Thrill --UP-- Will Clark arrived at Fort Lauderdale en fuego and hasn't cooled since. He even extended to make a stop Opening Day.Injury intrigue --DOWN-- First Cal Ripken sits with lower-back spasms. Then he's supposed to play. Wait a minute, on second (or third) thought, he's not. The club's don't-ask-don't-tell game is getting old.Willis Otanez --UP-- Rookie third baseman/designated hitter looked to be a misfit given the April 2 addition of Jeff Conine.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Thomas C. Frazier has ordered 35 officers to rotate to new jobs Friday, the day he resigns, prompting critics to charge that he is taking a "parting shot" at his troops.Frazier's policy of moving officers to new jobs every three years, which he instituted shortly after he arrived in 1994, has been disputed from the start. Police union officials said yesterday that such personnel decisions should not be implemented by a lame-duck commissioner."What a slap in the face," said Officer Gary McLhinney, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 3.The department's chief spokesman, Robert W. Weinhold Jr., said the moves are routine and had been planned since June.

If you're like me, the primary reason you're still paying attention to the Orioles right now is to watch the early evolution of Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman. They are the cornerstones of the team's pitching future, and they are two of the main reasons to be interested in next season, which is what this really is all about. So, what are you supposed to think when Andy MacPhail confirms that both are soon to be shut down for their own good and their places in the rotation are likely to be taken over by Norfolk next-men-up Chris Waters and Chris Lambert?

BOSTON -- It appears that Jason Berken and Rich Hill will get another chance to save their rotation spots after all. After a half-hour meeting with president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail and pitching coach Rick Kranitz before Friday's series opener against the Boston Red Sox, Orioles manager Dave Trembley said that Berken will start Monday against the Kansas City Royals and Hill will likely follow him Tuesday or Wednesday. "I think they should get another shot, and we'll what happens from there," MacPhail said.

The All-Star break beckons, and the Orioles remain a study in contrast. It's as if they have been playing tug of war with themselves for the past three months. If you want proof, you need only look at the past couple of weeks, during which they have staged a series of unlikely comebacks that would seem to signal some inner reservoir of character and resilience, only to lapse quickly back into cellar ball just when their fans start to feel like the franchise might actually be making progress.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - -In an ideal world, Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail would introduce the organization's top pitching prospects to the major leagues at different points of the season. However, with four of the five members of his Opening Day rotation no longer part of the starting staff because of injuries or ineffectiveness, he has been left with little choice. Rookies Brad Bergesen, Jason Berken and David Hernandez are already part of the rotation, and Triple-A Norfolk right-hander Chris Tillman, 21, appears to be the next man up if another injury occurs or the struggles of Berken or Rich Hill persist.

It is the 50th and final day of the longest spring training anyone can remember, and there are still many more questions than answers about the Orioles' volatile pitching situation. Too many, in fact, for any team hoping for a respectable performance in 2009 and certainly too many for any team that will have to play 54 games this year against the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and defending American League champion Tampa Bay Rays. Which leaves only one that really matters: Where do the Orioles go from here?

1. Red Sox (95-67 in 2008) Deepest pitching staff in baseball and a good offense, too. 2. Phillies (92-70) Defending champions will have to overcome early injuries. 3. Yankees (89-73) Can't ignore their offseason purchases, even if A-Rod is out. 4. Rays (97-65) Maybe the American League champs should be higher, but they won't surprise anyone now. 5. Dodgers (84-78) It's not just Manny Ramirez being back; great mix of youth and veterans. 6. Angels (100-62) Bobby Abreu is a good consolation prize after losing Mark Teixeira.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -Orioles manager Dave Trembley said Thursday's game shouldn't be considered a tryout for Adam Eaton. Had it been, Eaton probably didn't help his chances of making the rotation. Facing essentially the New York Mets' Opening Day lineup, Eaton allowed five runs on nine hits and two walks over five innings, raising his spring ERA to 7.29. He needed 94 pitches over that span and was spared further damage when right fielder Oscar Salazar leaped to deny Brian Schneider of a two-run home run in the Mets' four-run fourth inning.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -It wasn't exactly the Riddle of the Sphinx, but the Orioles' starting rotation had remained a mystery until Tuesday afternoon. The last variable was right-hander Hayden Penn, who took the mound against the St. Louis Cardinals at Fort Lauderdale Stadium with a chance to win the remaining opening, and here is what happened in a nutshell: Penn made the rotation, but he won't be in it. OK, so I guess the better way to phrase that is his rocky performance determined the makeup of the rotation, but at his own expense.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Right-hander Alfredo Simon rose to the occasion Monday night, pitching solid six very solid innings with a place in the Orioles' starting rotation apparently hanging in the balance. Simon carried a no-hit bid into the fourth inning against a representative Mets lineup and dueled New York left-hander Oliver Perez into the late innings at Tradition Field. The Mets won the game, 2-1, but the outcome paled in significance to the performance that might have locked up a major league job for a pitcher who didn't appear to be in serious consideration for a place in the rotation when training camp opened.

JUPITER, Fla. - Not long after Adam Eaton expressed frustration at his rocky performance Saturday, manager Dave Trembley reminded everyone the decision-making process that will determine the regular-season rotation is not over. "There are decisions to be made," Trembley said after the Orioles' 10-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, "and that's why these last starts everybody makes will go a long way in determining which way we go." Does that mean Eaton is not certain to be in the No. 3 slot when the season opens next week?