The Orioles' pitching questions were on full display Thursday afternoon.
Unproven starter Alfredo Simon allowed four hits -- including two home runs -- and four runs over five innings in his first go-round in the rotation. Following Simon was Brian Bass, who was missed out on the final spot in the rotation and was slotted into the long-relief role. Bass was beat around for five hits and five runs in two innings, aided by his own throwing error. Right-hander Adam Eaton is likely to join the rotation in the coming days, meaning one player currently on the 25-man roster is on his way out. Bass could be the odd man out when Eaton, who is pitching in extended spring training, joins the 40-man roster.
Eaton, Bass and Simon are pitching more for their own futures than the Orioles'. None of the trio is in the club's long-term plans, and their three spots on the roster will someday belong to top pitching prospects Chris Tillman, Jake Arrieta and Brian Matusz.
Right-hander Brad Bergesen and left-hander Troy Patton could be called upon this season should the current stop-gaps prove unreliable. Bergesen begins 2009 at Class AAA Norfolk after earning the club's minor league pitcher of the year honor for his work at Class A Frederick and Class AA Bowie in 2008. Patton, who came over in a trade with Houston in December 2007, has yet to pitch for the Orioles after undergoing surgery for a torn labrum last spring.
With expectations and costs low, expect the Orioles to give Simon, Bass and Eaton plenty of opportunities.
YANKEES 11, ORIOLES 2: Mark Teixeira broke out of a 1-for-10 start to his Yankee career with a solo home run in New York's 13-hit attack. Baltimore starter Alfredo Simon allowed four hits and four runs in five innings in his rotation debut.
