Mike McCoy 2B Jose Bautista RF Adam Lind DH Vernon Wells CF Lyle Overbay 1B Edwin Encarnacion 3B Alex Gonzalez SS Travis Snider LF Jose Molina C Dana Eveland LHP

Orioles manager Dave Trembley and pitching coach Rick Kranitz met with beleaguered closer Mike Gonzalez before the clubhouse opened to the media today. Trembley and Kranitz discussed the video they watched of Gonzalez last year, compared to what he's shown in three appearances this week. "I don't think it has anything to do with pressure. I don't think it has anything to do with injury," Trembley said. "I don't believe it has anything to do with anything other than the fact that he...

Dave Trembley sure has concerns about closer Mike Gonzalez and his two blown saves to start the year. But he said he is not concerned that Gonzalez's blown saves will impact in a negative way a clubhouse that features young players and a young pitching staff. "We have a clubhouse that is above expectations as far as guys backing each other up, sticking together as a team and understanding the big picture and what it's all about," Trembley said. "Izturis, Tejada, Markakis, Jones, I...

Second baseman Brian Roberts is listed as day-to-day with a strained abdominal muscle after being examined yesterday by Dr. Andrew Cosgarea. For now, he's avoided the disabled list. Roberts won't take batting practice this afternoon. I haven't seen him since he left yesterday's game. "He is better than he was yesterday," manager Dave Trembley said. "It's an abdominal strain. It's not related to his back. It's right now day-to-day and I think I'll have a better idea tomorrow and...

Julio Lugo 2B Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Garrett Atkins DH Matt Wieters C Nolan Reimold LF Ty Wigginton 1B Cesar Izturis SS David Hernandez RHP Brian Roberts is listed among the reserves.

We might find out later today whether the Orioles have decided to place second baseman Brian Roberts on the disabled list with a strained abdominal muscle or attach the day-to-day label to him. Manager Dave Trembley wasn't prepared to classify Roberts' status after yesterday's game, figuring he needed more information from the training staff and medical personnel. Usually, we'll hear day-to-day as soon as a player walks off the field. Probably not a good sign. The early guess is Roberts...

Manager Dave Trembley bristled yesterday when asked whether he'd be hesitant to use Mike Gonzalez in the next save situation. "He's the closer," Trembley said. The icy stare that accompanied those words wasn't aimed at anyone. Trembley turned his head and waited for the next question. But it's an uncomfortable situation for everyone. Trembley can't bail on Gonzalez four games into the regular season. Reporters can't ignore the ninth inning crisis. Yes, Baltimore, we have a...

The Orioles are just four games into the 2010 season and already they face a major crisis. Can Dave Trembley, or any manager for that matter, change closers before his team completes one turn through the rotation? Can you do it with someone that signed a two-year, 12 million dollar contract? First of all, don't blame Trembley for putting his closer in to close. Yankee and Red Sox managers do it all the time. The facts are that twice Mike Gonzalez came in to protect a one-run lead. He has...

Taking a quick check of the farm before going to bed - I have to get up early and milk the cows - I see that outfielder Lou Montanez went 3-for-3 with an RBI triple in Triple-A Norfolk's 6-4 win over Durham. Montanez tried to play last season with torn ligaments in his thumb because he recognized and valued the opportunity that the Orioles laid out for him. He kept swinging the bat, ignoring the pain, until finally forced to the disabled list. He didn't disappear from view at the first...

Not again: In suffering his second blown save of the year in the O's 7-6 loss to Toronto Friday afternoon, Mike Gonzalez gave up 2 ER in just 2/3 of an inning. He threw 18 pitches, just nine for strikes, after throwing strikes on just 12 of 26 pitches on Thursday vs. Tampa. He has allowed 4 ER in two innings on the year with two blown saves. Last year he was five for six in save chances before suffering his second blown save on May 12 for Atlanta. The Orioles are now 37-20 all-time in home...