Koji injury provides oppurtunity for Hernandez
With Koji Uehara now out for about the next two months, it appears that 24-year-old right hander David Hernandez will now get a long look in the Orioles' rotation.
In the clubhouse, about 90 minutes before today's game, Hernandez had not yet heard the news about Koji and how it might impact him.
"They haven't told me anything yet. I'm just getting ready for my next start. They are kind of quiet about that stuff. I'll just take it as is and be prepared for my start vs. Anaheim."
But now Hernandez might be able to settle into the O's rotation for while.
"Yeah, it would be great for me to get comfortable, knowing I'll have some starts."
Hernandez, a 16th-round pick in 2005, is 1-2, 4.19 in four games, three starts in two stints with the O's this year.
"Coming up that first time, you really don't know what to expect. I feel like I've kind of held my own. There are things I can improve on. Things I need to get better at," Hernandez said.
He said he'd like to throw more fastball strikes to the inside and outside of the plate.
Having other young guys in the rotation, players he knows well, has been a plus for Hernandez.
"Playing with Jason Berken and Brad Bergesen since high A ball and Bergy since I was in Aberdeen, it's real easy to talk with them. Especially seeing Bergy have this success I can pick his brain to get some help."
If the O's tell Hernandez he will be in the rotation for the next two months, will that help him be successful?
"Not really, you just have to be prepared and ready for that next start. If I get a couple in a row, I'll be ready."
Click here for Roch Kubatko's story on Koji's injury.
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