Matt Albers might have been better off going under the knife.
Albers, 26, who missed the second half of his first year in Baltimore with a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder, has struggled early in 2009 after opting to skip surgery and rehab the injury. He was touched up for three runs on three hits in just two-thirds of an inning Monday, the fourth time in five appearances he's allowed two or more hits in an outing.
A year after bursting onto the scene as a valuable swingman with a 3-3 record and a 3.49 ERA, Albers has struggled, as have fellow middle relievers Brian Bass (7.20 ERA) and Dennis Sarfate (5.73 ERA).
Albers came over in a trade from Houston with lefty Troy Patton, who suffered the same injury before spring training in 2008. Patton, 23, opted for the surgery and is currently throwing extremely well for Class AA Bowie and on track for a midseason call-up.
RANGERS 6, ORIOLES 4: Starter Jeremy Guthrie was touched for six hits and three runs in five innings for his second straight loss. The Orioles lost the series, 3-1.
