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Using Uehara as reliever helps O's settle 'pen, makes room in rotation
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Fans have been speculating since the summer that the Orioles’ first Asian-born recruit, Koji Uehara, will be moved to the bullpen in 2010. According to MLB.com’s Spencer Fordin, that will indeed be the case.
Uehara suffered injuries and stamina issues in his U.S. season. He appeared in only 12 games in 2009, starting all of them and pitching to a 4.05 ERA. However, often Uehara would pitch well through the first several innings only to run out of gas in the 5th or 6th.
A move to the bullpen makes sense for the Japanese veteran, 35, who pitched as both a starter and closer in Japan.
Late inning relief has been a problem for the O’s since George Sherrill departed for the West Coast. With Uehara joining Jim Johnson as a late innings option, the O’s can cut ties with a struggling pitcher. Not to name any names. *Cough* Matt Albers. *Cough* *Cough* The club could put flame-throwing David Hernandez in the ‘pen as well, where he seems better suited.
Assuming Jeremy Guthrie isn’t trade (a fairly safe assumption since he had an abysmal ’09 and MacPhail isn’t one to sell low), the team could begin 2010 with Guts, Matusz, Bergesen and Tillman in the rotation. They will look to add a fifth arm via free agency or trade.
Though this rotation is young and inexperienced, it is far more promising than the Opening Day 2009 rotation. Koji was counted on to help anchor that motley crew. As a starter, he was a liability. As a reliever, he could be a great asset.
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