Another newcomer, left field and the Red Sox

When reliever Mark Worrell reports to the Orioles today, he'll be putting on a major league uniform for the first time since 2008 with the St. Louis Cardinals. I'm not counting spring training or Halloween parties. Worrell appeared in four games with the Cardinals in '08, which is the extent of his major league experience. He gave up five runs and eight hits, with four walks and four strikeouts, in 5 2/3 innings. It's possible that Worrell will stay at Camden Yards for one day and return to Triple-A Norfolk when Alfredo Simon returns to the Orioles. It's an unusual arrangement because of Simon's placement on the restricted list. The Orioles don't have an opening on their 40-man roster, but they can transfer second baseman Brian Roberts to the 60-day disabled list. It's not like Roberts is close to returning, and he hasn't played since May 16 in Boston. The other roster move, which involves Josh Bell being recalled from Norfolk, will lead to an interesting decision from the Orioles once outfielder Luke Scott is ready to come off the disabled list. Scott is eligible to return on Tuesday. Does Bell go right back down? Does outfielder Matt Angle return to the Tides? Is there another position player on the bubble? I bet you're thinking about Felix Pie. Wouldn't that be a bold decision? Pie is out of options and would have to clear waivers to be sent down. He had a big two-run double on Saturday, but he's batting .220 with no homers, seven RBIs and a .523 OPS in 70 games. He has two stolen bases in three attempts, which is a tremendous waste of speed. And the Orioles are so concerned about their defense in left field, Angle made his major league debut at that position yesterday despite playing it only twice in the minors. Angle ran down a ball in left-center field yesterday, and another one near the line. Manager Buck Showalter paid special attention to both catches and referenced them in his postgame session with the media. He also mentioned Angle's impressive times from home plate to first base. Maybe it all means nothing. Angle could be optioned Tuesday if it isn't Bell. I'm just wondering if the Orioles are reaching a point where they're willing to do something different in left field. Here's something that would be different: No bad blood between the Orioles and Red Sox. Don't count on it anytime soon. I'd be surprised if we have another bench-clearing incident - though the Red Sox might be a bit cranky after playing 16 innings last night - but Showalter is still seething over the punishments handed down by Major League Baseball. Closer Kevin Gregg is expected to begin serving a reduced suspension tonight, and Michael Gonzalez will follow once Gregg returns to the roster. Vladimir Guerrero is on the disabled list with a fractured wrist, which Showalter mentions every single day. The pain increases when you look at Guerrero's career numbers against Tim Wakefield, who starts tonight for the Red Sox. Guerrero is 12-for-25 with five homers, nine RBIs, 10 walks and a 1.749 OPS against Wakefield. The entire clubhouse can't believe that John Lackey didn't receive a suspension after drilling Derrek Lee in the thigh. He's not scheduled to pitch in this series, but the Orioles get Kyle Weiland - the rookie who hit Guerrero and Mark Reynolds - tomorrow night. Neither pitch seemed to be intentional, unless the kid has amazing aim and targeted their hands. The drama in this series decreases if Gregg is serving his suspension. Admit it, you'd love to see him facing David Ortiz in the ninth inning. I'm wondering who will be pitching the ninth if the Orioles are in a save situation tonight. Koji Uehara isn't going to work four consecutive games. By the way, Cesar Izturis is 7-for-16 with two doubles against Wakefield, but he's still on the disabled list. Luke Scott is 3-for-9 with a home run. Also on the DL. And nobody is blaming the Red Sox. Nick Markakis is only 5-for-27, but he has two doubles and two home runs. Bell is 1-for-3.



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