Adair taking leave of absence

Orioles pitching coach Rick Adair is taking a leave of absence from the team for personal reasons. The club just sent out a release confirming changes to the staff. Bullpen coach Bill Castro will replace Adair as pitching coach. Scott McGregor, who works with rehabbing pitchers in Sarasota, will become interim bullpen coach. McGregor filled the same role on a part-time basis in 2011. There is no timetable for Adair's return to the club. Adair began the 2011 season as bullpen coach before replacing Mark Connor as pitching coach on June 14. His contract runs through 2014. Adair, 55, has served nine full seasons as a major league pitching coach or bullpen coach. His 2012 staff won 93 games despite having only one pitcher make more than 20 starts. Twelve different pitchers made starts. The Orioles' staff ERA has grown from 3.90 in 2012 to 4.27, which ranks 25th in the majors. However, Adair's leave isn't due to performance. Castro is in his second season as bullpen coach. He began the 2009 season as the Brewers' pitching coach, a position he also held late in 2002 following Dave Stewart's resignation. McGregor served as a pitching coach at various levels of the farm system before being named pitching rehab coordinator in 2011. Castro and McGregor were informed yesterday of their role changes.