galentjm
March-30th-2004, 02:12 PM
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-os30,0,1769393.story?coll=bal-sports-headlines
O's Bedard named fifth starter
Pitcher will get start on April 10; Lopez heads to bullpen
By Roch Kubatko
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Two years removed from ligament-transplant surgery in his left elbow, Erik Bedard has been named the Orioles' fifth starter in their redesigned rotation.
Manager Lee Mazzilli made the announcement before today's game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Mazzilli called Bedard into his office after batting practice and revealed his plans.
"I thought I was going to get sent down, but obviously it was good news," said Bedard, a sixth-round draft pick in 1999 who made two relief appearances with the Orioles in 2002 before the surgery. "This is exciting. Finally, all the hard work has paid off."
Bedard appeared in only six games last year, none above Single-A, but he went 2-0 with a 2.04 ERA in five outings this spring, including two starts. He shut out the Florida Marlins on two hits over six innings Saturday, striking out nine.
Bedard will be optioned to the minors and pitch in one game before joining the Orioles and making his first start on April 10.
Rodrigo Lopez, last year's Opening Day starter, has been sent to the bullpen and will work as a long reliever and spot starter. Lopez held the New York Mets to one unearned run over seven innings Sunday, lowering his ERA to 3.79 in 19 innings.
The Orioles will have three left-handers in their rotation, including Eric DuBose at No. 2 and Matt Riley at No. 4. Sidney Ponson, who will pitch on Opening Night, is the only starter who's been in the majors for a full season.
"In my mind, they're all major league pitchers," Mazzilli said. "If I didn't think they could succeed, they wouldn't be on this club."
Mazzilli was expected to make cuts later today, but said the roster wouldn't be completely set.
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Thats an extremely young/inexperienced rotation. I guess they're taking the sink or swim approach. Atleast Daal isn't starting.
O's Bedard named fifth starter
Pitcher will get start on April 10; Lopez heads to bullpen
By Roch Kubatko
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Two years removed from ligament-transplant surgery in his left elbow, Erik Bedard has been named the Orioles' fifth starter in their redesigned rotation.
Manager Lee Mazzilli made the announcement before today's game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Mazzilli called Bedard into his office after batting practice and revealed his plans.
"I thought I was going to get sent down, but obviously it was good news," said Bedard, a sixth-round draft pick in 1999 who made two relief appearances with the Orioles in 2002 before the surgery. "This is exciting. Finally, all the hard work has paid off."
Bedard appeared in only six games last year, none above Single-A, but he went 2-0 with a 2.04 ERA in five outings this spring, including two starts. He shut out the Florida Marlins on two hits over six innings Saturday, striking out nine.
Bedard will be optioned to the minors and pitch in one game before joining the Orioles and making his first start on April 10.
Rodrigo Lopez, last year's Opening Day starter, has been sent to the bullpen and will work as a long reliever and spot starter. Lopez held the New York Mets to one unearned run over seven innings Sunday, lowering his ERA to 3.79 in 19 innings.
The Orioles will have three left-handers in their rotation, including Eric DuBose at No. 2 and Matt Riley at No. 4. Sidney Ponson, who will pitch on Opening Night, is the only starter who's been in the majors for a full season.
"In my mind, they're all major league pitchers," Mazzilli said. "If I didn't think they could succeed, they wouldn't be on this club."
Mazzilli was expected to make cuts later today, but said the roster wouldn't be completely set.
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Thats an extremely young/inexperienced rotation. I guess they're taking the sink or swim approach. Atleast Daal isn't starting.