So much to talk about
I'll expand on a few of these topics later, but I wanted to pass along some news before heading back down to the field.
Adam Jones reported that he felt good today and will hit in the cage with the other players. There's no outdoor batting practice.
Jones won't be activated before Sept. 1, no matter how many times he walks into manager Dave Trembley's office and pleads his case. (Today being the latest example. You've got to love the guy's enthusiasm). Jones still needs to run the bases - home to first, home to second, first to third, second to home - do some throwing and face live pitching in a simulated game.
Jones and closer George Sherrill will accompany the team on its next road trip.
When rosters expand on Sept. 1, the Orioles are looking to add a catcher, infielder and outfielder. No names have been given to us. They haven't determined how many pitchers will join the team. We do know this much: Matt Wieters isn't coming here. I've been saying that for months and months, and Trembley confirmed it again.
Wieters is expected to play in the Arizona Fall League after getting some rest, where he can catch some pitchers who might be a little more advanced. He doesn't have much more to prove with the bat.
Adam Loewen will rejoin the team on Sept. 8 and spend a week here so he can work with hitting coach Terry Crowley. He'll hit in the cage the first day, then go on the field for early battting practice.
Loewen will report to the fall instructional league, which begins on Sept. 17 and runs to the last week in October, as an outfielder, not a first baseman.
Troy Patton, recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum, might be a candidate for the instructional league. The Orioles would like for Patton and Danys Baez to report to Sarasota, Fla. and eventually pitch in a game. Right now, they're more confident in Baez being able to do that, calling it a "realistic goal," but Patton is a possibility.
Whew. I'm going to ice my fingers and file another entry later.
They will probably add Santos from Norfolk, who IMO should have been brought up a while ago to see if he could be an improvement over Quiroz. If he was, then he could have challenged Hernandez for more playing time and at least motivated him to try a little harder.
Are they ever going to play Montanez on a regular basis? Wouldn't he do better playing regularly in Bowie, and in their playoffs, instead of sitting on the bench? Yes, he gets ML exposure and Crowley's expertise but he needs to be playing, not sitting, IMHO.
"I've been saying that for months and month, and Trembley confirmed it again."
Shouldn't that be months and months?
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Yes, it sholuld be. Thanks. - Roch
Does this mean that all of Loewen's contract revisions have been worked out?
Is Patton expected to be ready for Spring Training or next season?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I don't believe Loewen's contract revisions are finalized yet. That'll come after the season when the 40-man roster has to be set. Patton is expected to be ready for spring training. - Roch
Hi Roch,
There's quite a bit of criticism about Ramon. I have trouble believing he's not motivated, but he does seem...reticent. Maybe the past groin injury is involved? Do you think he's playing hurt? Is there something we're missing?
Thanks
Grateful for your writing, BTW. It was oddly upsetting when you left The Sun.
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If he's hurt, we don't know about it. I don't believe so. - Roch