Orioles Team Report Jun 11, 2008

Keeping Steve Trachsel on the roster as a long reliever was simply delaying the inevitable.

The Orioles needed to bring up another bat from the minor leagues, and Trachsel’s place on the roster was unstable since he was demoted to the bullpen after allowing nine runs in 1 2/3 innings at Tampa Bay on May 24. Ultimately, the Orioles decided Trachsel’s methodical preparation did not bode well for long or middle relief. Trachsel was not used to warming up in 25 pitches or less.

Trachsel, who allowed four earned runs in six innings of relief, was 2-5 with an 8.39 ERA before he was designated for assignment Tuesday.

The Orioles can trade the 37-year-old or waive him. They can also outright Trachsel to a minor league affiliate should he clear waivers, but it’s unlikely the veteran would accept a minor league assignment with the club.

Upon Trachsel’s demotion to the bullpen, the Orioles recalled right-hander Radhames Liz from Class AAA Norfolk and designated shortstop Luis Hernandez for assignment. Many close to the team felt the club would have designated Trachsel for assignment at that time.

Manager Dave Trembley tried to give Trachsel the opportunity to straighten himself out. But after the right-hander allowed four hits and four runs—two unearned—in a mop-up role Saturday, Trachsel had pitched his way off the roster.

Orioles 10, Red Sox 6: Every Orioles starter but Melvin Mora had a hit, and the bullpen tossed four shutout innings to bail out starter Daniel Cabrera, who allowed six runs in five innings. Relievers Dennis Sarfate, Jamie Walker, Chad Bradford, Jim Johnson and George Sherrill combined to allow one hit and one walk after Cabrera allowed seven hits and four walks.

Notes, Quotes

• LHP Adam Loewen (sore left forearm) began a rehab assignment with Class A Frederick, pitching a scoreless inning and striking out two. Loewen has been on the 15-day disabled list since April 25.

• RHP Daniel Cabrera allowed six earned runs for the second time in as many starts. Cabrera failed to reach the sixth inning for the first time since his 2008 debut, when he allowed six Tampa Bay runs in four innings on April 2.

• RF Nick Markakis went 3-for-5 with a double Tuesday night, just one game after ending a 10-game hitting streak Sunday. Markakis is a safe bet to rebound after a tough game—he has gone hitless in back-to-back starts just five times all season. He is batting .486 (18-for-3) this month.

• 1B Oscar Salazar was promoted from Class AAA Norfolk, taking the place of RHP Steve Trachsel on both the 40- and 25-man rosters. Salazar, 29, played in eight major league games with Detroit in 2002, when he batted .190 (4-for-21) with one home run and three RBIs.

• RHP Steve Trachsel was designated for assignment Tuesday afternoon. Trachsel, 37, had been demoted to the bullpen earlier this month. In 10 games, including eight starts, Trachsel was 2-5 with an 8.39 ERA.

• LF Luke Scott entered the series with Boston as the Orioles’ best hitter against Red Sox RHP Josh Beckett. Scott went 1-for-2 with a walk against Beckett on Tuesday to improve to 5-for-8 with a home run and three RBIs against the Boston ace.

By The Numbers: 14—One-run victories for the Orioles through June 10, one more than last year’s MLB low.

Quote To Note: “It’s going to be a little nerve-racking. I hated to leave her.”—RHP Dennis Sarfate on leaving his wife, Jada, who is nine months pregnant, on June 2.