Sherrill's MRI
The Orioles consider the result to be good news.
Placed side by side with another MRI taken on George Sherrill's left shoulder in spring training, the one from today looks identical. No structural damage, just a little inflamation. And no reason to believe that Sherrill will be unavailable long after his 15 days are up.
Sherrill received a cortisone shot and has been told to rest. He probably won't pick up a baseball for a week.
"We don't have any long-term concerns at the present time," team president Andy MacPhail said.
Sherrill can return on Aug. 31. With rosters expanding the next day, there's no urgency to rush him.
MacPhail wouldn't place blame for the injury on the All-Star Game, when Sherrill was pushed well beyond his usual limit.
"From what the doctors tell us, that stuff is accumulative. It's not something that's a function of one event," MacPhail said. "So I don't think we can hang anybody on that."
MacPhail won't reveal Sherrill's replacement on the 25-man roster before tomorrow. The early favorite is Triple-A Norfolk's Kam Mickolio, but you'll be hearing names such as Radhames Liz and Brian Burres as possibilities. I'm trying to get confirmation.
Sherrill's replacement should be Brad Bergesen because he's our starting pitcher for Friday. At least that's what I think...
This could work out well for the O's because they can call up Bergesen without optioning anyone. And by the time Sherrill returns, they'll be up to 40 men on the roster.