As suggested in this blog last-week, the Orioles will be promoting Alfredo Simon to join the bullpen prior to beginning their series with the New York Yankees tomorrow.
While I am still disturbed that Simon opened the 2009 season as the O’s 3rd starter, I feel good about him in a bullpen capacity.
Simon has started 4 games for Norfolk here in 2010, and has pitched a total of 17 innings. In those 17 innings, he has allowed 15 hits, 3 er, 1 homer, 5 walks, with 14 k’s. He is a solid-power arm used to pitching to both sides of the plate, with the arm-strength necessary to pitch multiple innings.
Unless the O’s were to unexpectedly release either Albers or Meredith, the move would seem to be Mickolio (or possibly Castillo) heading back to the Minors. As of yet, it has not been officially announced.
Beyond Simon, I think the O’s would also benefit from looking at guys like Steven Johnson, and Tim Bascom from AA Bowie as additional bullpen options. You are trying to buy sometime until guys like Uehara, and Gonzalez are healthy and productive. If you have organizational players that have nearly zero chance of cracking the Major League rotation, you might as well use the skills they do have, and start to reap that benefit for your bullpen.
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.