Besides reaching a career high in saves, Sherrill issued too many walks and subsequently faced 57 more batters than in any other season. Getting the final three outs was too often an adventure for the left-hander, and the increased workload attributed heavily to the month he missed with an inflamed shoulder.

So, as he prepares to improve upon a season in which he pitched for the AL All-Star team, Sherrill has two goals:

"Stay healthy and lower the walks," he said. "I think part of staying healthy is limiting pitches, trying to allow as few people on base as possible. I was able to scramble out of a bunch of jams last year, but it cost me."

After coming to Baltimore in the trade that sent starter Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners, Sherrill earned the closer's job in spring training and opened the season with six saves in six chances. He had 22 saves in 24 tries, along with a 2.73 ERA, on June 13. But the increased workload, and all those walks, finally caught up to him.

Two straight blown saves in late June began a downward turn for Sherrill, who finished with a 4.73 ERA and 33 walks in 53 1/3 innings.

"There's no doubt that he wore down a little bit late last year. He wasn't as crisp as he was," Orioles pitching coach Rick Kranitz said. "More pitches, a little bit less command. It was a tale of two seasons for him."

The evidence: Sherrill yielded 10 runs and nine walks in his final 10 outings.

"Earlier in the year what you saw is a lot fewer pitchers per appearance, a lot more cleaner innings and a lot fewer three-ball counts," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "I think as the year went on, the reality was he never threw so many pitches. He was a situational lefty, and it probably was something he wasn't used to. I would concur that's definitely an area in which he could improve upon. But I think he's better off knowing what to expect now."

Sherrill became the closer last year because Chris Ray was lost for the season after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery in August 2007. Ray is back, his elbow never better, but Trembley will maintain Sherrill as the team's primary closer.

"I did it for both guys," the manager said. "I didn't want Sherrill to come in here and think he had to hurry up and get out there, and I didn't want Chris Ray wondering what his role on the club was going to be."

Sherrill appreciated the gesture. Instead of being forced to compete for the job, he can turn his entire focus toward becoming a more effective closer.

"For them to come out and clarify what's going to happen, it puts everybody at ease and just lets you go about getting ready for the season," he said. "Whether I'm setting up or closing, it didn't really matter to me. But we do have a really good bullpen, and it's just good to go out and do your work and get ready."