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Rejected Orioles reject Orioles: Hill, Fiorentino, Rodriguez to test free agency
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According to MASN’s Roch Kubatko, pitcher Rich Hill, outfielder Jeff Fiorentino, and catcher Guillermo Rodriguez have refused the Orioles assignment to AAA Norfolk.
The trio was removed from the 40 man roster late last week. After refusing assignment, each player is now free to sign with another team.
Hill, 29, came to the Orioles this offseason . After a breakout 2007 campaign and a disasterous 2008, fans were hoping Hill would be a low cost/high reward reclamation project. That turned out to be only half true. In an injury-abbreviated ’09, Hill put up a 7.80 ERA in 14 games. The club received Hill from the Chicago cubs for a cash transaction.
Fiorentino, in his second stint with the club, played well during a September call up. An afterthought in the outfield, Fiorentino found himself starting in center after Adam Jones and Felix Pie went down with injuries. In 75 plate appearances, he hit .281.
Rodriguez had only 7 plate appearances with The Birds in 2009. The club will look to add a more experienced catcher to backup young Matt Wieters. At 31, Rodriguez has had less than 100 major league at bats.
None of the 3 players had potential to play a major role with the O’s in 2010, which is why the club outrighted them in the first place. There is always the chance that Fiorentino or Rodriguez earn a backup spot elsewhere.
Hill could eventually regain the health, confidence, and form that allowed him to strike out 183 batters in ’07. However, he had his opportunities to do so in Baltimore and other than a shutout “W” against Oakland, Hill couldn’t get on track in ’09.
He’ll look for a Spring Training invite and a fresh start in another town.
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