Jimenez talks about getting the start on Tuesday
Ubaldo Jimenez hasn't pitched in a game this month, and he has only made two bullpen appearances since his last start on Aug. 16, but the right hander will start for the Orioles on Tuesday night against Toronto.
"I'm happy about it because that is the thing I've been doing my whole career in the major leagues," Jimenez said this afternoon. "Happy to have the opportunity."
Jimenez is 4-9 with a 4.96 ERA in 22 games and 20 starts for the Orioles in this his first season of a four-year, $50 million dollar free agent contract signed in February.
Jimenez's last start was Aug. 16 when he gave up six runs in 4 1/3 innings against Cleveland. Since then, he pitched Aug. 23, giving up one run in four innings in Chicago against the Cubs. He also pitched Aug. 31, giving up three runs in 1/3 of an inning against Minnesota.
He was asked if the last few weeks have been difficult.
"You know what, with the things we are doing right now, the whole team, it hasn't been that difficult," Jimenez said. "Because we are winning and we are all here for the same thing. If it wouldn't be like that definitely it was going to be really hard. But it hasn't been that hard because we've been winning."
Jimenez has been trying to stay ready both physically and mentally, even as he has only pitched in two of the last 27 Orioles games.
"You know I've been staying in shape, throwing a lot of bullpens and a couple of days ago I threw a simulated game," he said. "So I'm definitely looking to be ready for that game.
"The only thing I can do is go out and try to do my job. That is why I have stayed with the same mind approach. Not thinking about I haven't pitched in a while. I have to go out there and find a way. Find a way to compete and do my job."
In one sense it would be ironic if Jimenez starts the game where the Orioles clinch the American League East, which is possible as their magic number is at four right now. They could clinch the division as soon as Tuesday.
"It would be sweet. It would be really nice to be able to do that," Jimenez said. "Hopefully, we can do it before that. What matters is that we make it, doesn't matter when."
Jimenez is 4-9 with a 4.96 ERA in 22 games and 20 starts for the Orioles in this his first season of a four-year, $50 million dollar free agent contract signed in February.
Jimenez's last start was Aug. 16 when he gave up six runs in 4 1/3 innings against Cleveland. Since then, he pitched Aug. 23, giving up one run in four innings in Chicago against the Cubs. He also pitched Aug. 31, giving up three runs in 1/3 of an inning against Minnesota.
He was asked if the last few weeks have been difficult.
"You know what, with the things we are doing right now, the whole team, it hasn't been that difficult," Jimenez said. "Because we are winning and we are all here for the same thing. If it wouldn't be like that definitely it was going to be really hard. But it hasn't been that hard because we've been winning."
Jimenez has been trying to stay ready both physically and mentally, even as he has only pitched in two of the last 27 Orioles games.
"You know I've been staying in shape, throwing a lot of bullpens and a couple of days ago I threw a simulated game," he said. "So I'm definitely looking to be ready for that game.
"The only thing I can do is go out and try to do my job. That is why I have stayed with the same mind approach. Not thinking about I haven't pitched in a while. I have to go out there and find a way. Find a way to compete and do my job."
In one sense it would be ironic if Jimenez starts the game where the Orioles clinch the American League East, which is possible as their magic number is at four right now. They could clinch the division as soon as Tuesday.
"It would be sweet. It would be really nice to be able to do that," Jimenez said. "Hopefully, we can do it before that. What matters is that we make it, doesn't matter when."
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