The bullpen was one of the Baltimore Orioles’ unquestioned strong suits the past two years.
As the 2014 season approaches, the relief corps looks to be Baltimore’s biggest question mark.
The Orioles used the offseason to fill holes in their offense and rotation while keeping the core of the game’s best defense intact. The bullpen, however, lost more quality than it gained.
Right-hander Tommy Hunter, a failed starter turned power reliever, could cinch up the closer’s role in spring training. He was handed the job after the Orioles sent two-time 50-save closer Jim Johnson to the Oakland A’s in a December deal.
Trading Johnson isn’t necessarily a death blow to the bullpen, though. Despite racking up 101 saves the past two years, there were puzzling stretches of inconsistency. Johnson blew a league-worst nine saves in 2013.
If Hunter locks up the closer’s spot, he would have right-hander Darren O’Day as his primary setup man. O’Day would work in the sixth and seventh innings, too, based upon matchups. The club also added former Marlins right-hander Ryan Webb to work in middle and late relief, alongside O’Day.
Brian Matusz is the leading lefty, and with Troy Patton set to begin the year with a 25-game suspension, there is a potential opening for another left-hander. Zach Britton, who is out of options, would have to pitch his way off the team.
There is a group of journeymen and former starters who could make the club to work in long relief, including right-handers Josh Stinson, Steve Johnson and Alfredo Aceves. Lefty T.J. McFarland could open the year in the minors after spending all of 2013 on the major league roster as a Rule 5 selection.
Baltimore isn’t alone among American League East teams in retooling its relief corps, though. The Yankees and Rays also have new faces at the back end of games in 2014, and Boston will have right-hander Koji Uehara in place for a full season for the first time.
NOTES, QUOTES
–LHP Johan Santana signed a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training. The two-time Cy Young Award-winner is coming off two shoulder procedures in the past three seasons and isn’t ready to compete for a roster spot in spring camp. In a workout prior to signing, his fastball topped out in the low-80s, according to reports. The Orioles view adding Santana as a no-risk deal. They hope Santana can build up arm strength in the spring and possibly contend for a bullpen or spot-starting role in the summer.
–RHP Edgmer Escalona was shut down for at least three weeks due to inflammation in his pitching shoulder, the Orioles announced March 4. The offseason acquisition, who is on the 40-man roster and competing for a relief role, was touched up for five runs in his spring debut. He was pitching with discomfort early in camp, and the setback will make his roster hopes an uphill climb.
–RHP Suk-min Yoon was still without a visa as the club entered its second week of spring games. He was slated to travel to Canada to obtain the visa, which is required before he can begin competing for a roster spot.
–RHP Darren O’Day is working on adding a change up in spring training. The submarine pitcher rarely throws the off-speed pitch. He is getting an assist from former Orioles submarine hurler Todd Frohwirth in camp, The Sun reported.
–RHP Kevin Gausman is trying out prescription glasses to combat farsightedness, MASNsports.com reported. Looking down causes him blurred vision and headaches, according to the report. Gausman has an outside shot of cracking the roster, but he stands a better chance of starting the season in the Triple-A Norfolk rotation.
–RHP Miguel Gonzalez (back tightness) was throwing again in early March after he was held back on the first few days in Sarasota, Fla.
–OF Quintin Berry (back spasms) returned to action after being sidelined early in camp. He is a non-roster roster player in the Orioles’ camp.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I see him as a starter right now. With necessity, you never know. I think he’d stand up better physically that way.” — Manager Buck Showalter, on the role a healthy LHP Johan Santana may have with the Orioles.