Mark Hendrickson is finally where manager Dave Trembley wants him: at the front of the bullpen, rather than the back of the rotation.
The Orioles announced before Thursday's series opener in Kansas City that their 6-foot-9 left-hander would be available as a long reliever. It was the first step in a reshuffling of the pitching staff, which is expected to include the activation of Rich Hill from the disabled list. Hill, 29, is slated to start Saturday, followed by Koji Uehara in Sunday's finale. The roster move corresponding to Hill's arrival will be noteworthy. A straight swap of pitchers would leave the Orioles with 14 position players and 11 pitchers -- a far cry from the 13 pitchers the club was carrying last month.
The team could send outfielder Nolan Reimold back to Class AAA Norfolk after promoting him Thursday. The more likely scenario would be to place one of the club's ailing outfielders -- Luke Scott (shoulder), Adam Jones (hamstring) or Lou Montanez (thumb) -- on the disabled list.
Hill, acquired from the Cubs, will be given every opportunity to stick in the rotation. He is out of minor league options, and he has struggled with his command in the last year.
Hendrickson immediately bolsters the bullpen. Not only does he provide a veteran bridge to the back end of the relief corps, but Hendrickson also gives Trembley a third left-hander alongside Jamie Walker and closer George Sherrill. Finally, six weeks into the season, the Orioles rotation is starting to look more like the one club officials envisioned in March.
ORIOLES 9, ROYALS 5: Jeremy Guthrie (3-3) didn't turn in his best outing, but his five innings were enough for the win Thursday. Nolan Reimold was 1-for-5 in his big-league debut, taking part in a 12-hit attack.
