News
O's look ahead to September callups
Up to eight players expected to join the team next month
By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com
08/27/09 8:08 PM ET
BALTIMORE -- Five days from now, a young team will get even younger. The Orioles spoke broadly about their plan for September's expanded rosters on Thursday, sharing the team's blueprint for the final month."I don't think there will be more than seven or eight guys total," said Baltimore manager Dave Trembley of the team's expected reinforcements. "I think we'll get three position players -- a catcher, an infielder and outfielder -- and the rest of the guys will be pitchers. That's obviously something that can change. It is only the 27th."
Some of the potential additions are well known, while others are only guesses. Andy MacPhail, Baltimore's president of baseball operations, has said that second baseman Justin Turner will likely be among the promotions from Triple-A Norfolk. The outfielder will likely be either Joey Gathright or Jeff Fiorentino.
The Orioles have two veteran catchers -- Robby Hammock and Guillermo Rodriguez -- stashed at Norfolk, and the pair represent an offense-defense platoon in the Minors. Hammock would appear to be the most likely choice.
The pitching situation is a little easier to analyze. Reliever Dennis Sarfate is done with his rehabilitation stint from a circulatory condition and will rejoin the Orioles on September 1. Baltimore is waiting on Koji Uehara and Brad Bergesen to return from their respective injuries and will call them up whenever they're ready.
For now, though, they'll likely call up another arm or two that can help in relief. Big league veterans Matt Albers and Chris Waters could figure in that picture, and newly acquired starter Chris Lambert could also get the call.
"You may see two different waves," said Trembley of his team's promotion schedule. "You may see some guys on September 1 and you may see some guys after the Minor League season ends on the seventh."
Spencer Fordin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
