David Hernandez won't make today's start because of soreness in his right shoulder that cropped up about two weeks ago.
Left-hander Mark Hendrickson will take Hernandez's turn today. Hernandez is regarded as day-to-day.
Hernandez said he usually feels the discomfort the day after his start, but it surfaced during his most recent outing on Tuesday, when he allowed five runs (four earned) and five hits, with four walks, in 5 2/3 innings. That's when he decided to alert the club.
"I was trying to pitch through it and just realized it wasn't helping," said Hernandez, who's walked 16 batters in his last four starts. "After my last start against Seattle, the next day I said something. I anticipated making my side. I didn't think I'd have to miss a start because I felt I was OK enough to pitch through it. I thought it was one of those times during the season when you're going to feel aches and pains. I thought it was going to go away eventually."
Hernandez described the sensation as a "pinching" in his shoulder.
"They said it has something to do with my bicep. It's kind of like an inflammation," he said.
Hernandez, who's 0-5 with a 5.84 ERA in seven starts, continues to receive treatment on his shoulder. The Orioles haven't scheduled an MRI.
This explains why the Orioles brought up left-hander Alberto Castillo from Triple-A Norfolk. They knew last night that Hendrickson would have to vacate the bullpen. They replaced one lefty with another.
Hernandez said he won't use the shoulder as an excuse for his lack of command.
"It could be a reason, but I'm not sure," he said. "I feel like at the beginning of the game I've been fine with my control. It's toward the later innings, when I throw more pitches, that I have control problems."
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