After roughly five days of hiding the obvious, manager Dave Trembley confirmed Rich Hill as Saturday's starter. But the corresponding roster move was left up in the air.
Hill, 29, has been on rehab assignment with Class AAA Norfolk after missing the first month with elbow discomfort. The move allowed Trembley to put veteran lefty Mark Hendrickson in the bullpen, where he joins fellow lefties Jamie Walker and George Sherrill. The impending move might relieve a logjam of outfielders currently on the big league roster. With injuries to Adam Jones (right hamstring) and Luke Scott (left shoulder), both are potential disabled list targets, while Felix Pie, Lou Montanez or Nolan Reimold could be demoted.
It's highly unlikely the Orioles will send out another pitcher. However, the bullpen is suddenly deeper with the addition of a stretched-out Hendrickson.
"In the past I have liked the way the ball comes out of my hand in the bullpen and I think the results have shown I have been pretty effective in that role. It's not necessarily the easiest role in the world," he told the Baltimore Sun. "But I'm just concentrating on pitching better than I am pitching because I think I am capable of it."
In his first appearance as an Orioles reliever, Hendrickson allowed three hits and one run against four strikeouts in three innings. It was his 62nd career relief appearance.
ROYALS 8, ORIOLES 1: Not even a delay of more than two hours and 25 minutes could slow down Zack Greinke. The Royals ace scattered six hits in seven innings for the win as his ERA climbed to 0.60.
