Izturis update
Shortstop Cesar Izturis ran sprints in the outfield before batting practice today, but he hasn't been cleared for baseball-related activities with the club and most likely will remain on the disabled list through the All-Star break.
Izturis will accompany the team on its next road trip, which begins Thursday in Anaheim. He's expected to take batting practice and field ground balls.
Assuming he doesn't experience any setbacks in his recovery from an emergency appendectomy, Izturis could go on a rehab assignment during the break.
"It could be sooner than that," manager Dave Trembley said, "but I think that's kind of stretching it."
The Orioles will face an interesting roster decision when Izturis is activated. They'll have plenty of time to think about it.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Still say thank goodness AM traded for Andino...no one has hardly flinched with Andino in the lineup..smooth take over for him...nice to know we have two if needed when Izturis comes back.
Slice of Pie anyone????
Please let it be Pie.
Please let it be Pie.
Please let it be Pie.
Please let it be Pie.
I know practically nothing about medicine and health, but it really seems like they're milking Izturis' injury for all it's worth. A guy on my college lacrosse team a few years ago had an emergency appendectomy and missed 2 and a half weeks. Was there something particular about his surgery that complicated matters, or what?
Hate to say it, but Pie's days are numbered. Seems that Salazar is much better suited to be a bench player. Reimold can play CF and RF if either Nick or Adam get dinged, with Luke playing LF, plus Gathright is only a phone call away.
I think Pie should be sent down when Itzuris comes off the DL. He is getting very limited playing time with the O's and he won't be a valuable 4th outfielder unless he can come of the bench and hit. Salazar is a much better hitter and can back up either of the corner infield positions. I realize that both Pie and Salazar are out of options, but I think we may have a better chance of slipping Pie through waivers than Salazar.
Don't think Pie's days are numbered unless he can clear waivers or is traded. If Salazar has any options left it may be him that gets sent down. We shall see...could be a couple moves to make soon; then there's the trading deadline upcoming too.
If a trade isn't made to make room for Izturis, then Salazar is back in AAA.
Keep Izturis out until the ASG break. Than trades/injuries could shake out the roster numbers crunch.
Terpfan, I agree with you. Hard as it is for people to believe around here, Salazar would pass through waivers easier than Pie. Salazar is 31, not a viable option on defense, and while he's hitting .364 he's also slugging .364 and with a .364 on base percentage (for comparison, that's the same offensive performance in terms of OPS as our often-maligned back-up catcher, Mr. Greg Zaun). Most major league clubs have a player much like Salazar at AAA, and use them like the Orioles have used Salazar this year.
Roch,
The old cliche for young players goes, that they need regular ABs to improve. If that's so, considering our DH/OF mix and Pie's recent mistakes, Pie obviously needs more playing time to improve but doesn't have the opportunity to get ABs as the team's currently constituted. Something's got to give. Which way do you think the club is leaning? It's either:
A. DFA Pie.
B. Trade one of our good vet bats to make room (Huff, Mora, Scott, etc).
C. Maintain the status quo by sending down 31 yr old Salazar, which may only postpone the decision on Pie.