Izturis Hospitalized

Cesar Izturis, the Orioles starting SS was taken to a local hospital in Oakland on Friday when he had complained of a pain in his stomach. It was later diagnosed as appendicitis after a CT scan was done. An appendectomy was scheduled to take place on Friday night as the Orioles took on the Oakland Athletics. Robert Andino took the field as the starting SS with Izturis being out of action.

According to various sources, a recovery time after an appendectomy is between 10 days and 4 weeks. We will find out in the coming days how long this will leave the Orioles without their starting SS. Izturis has been great defensively and contributed some timely hitting this season for the Orioles. He is an important cog in the lineup stabilizing the bottom of the batting order and also serves as a mentor for the younger players.

I will update everyone on new information about this when it becomes available. Best of luck to Cesar Izturis in a quick and healthy recovery. We cannot wait to have you back on the field!

Felix Pie Situation

It had been made clear by Andy McPhail that OF Felix Pie will not be sent to the minor leagues. Pie, has struggled for the most part but is showing flashes of the potential tools that he possesses. The reasoning for the decision is simple. Felix Pie has options remaining (to be sent to the minor leagues), but would have to be exposed to waivers where he can be claimed by any team before he got sent down.

If Pie were to be put on waivers, it is widely assumed that a team would take a flier on him and put on a waiver claim. That would mean that Pie could potentially end up with them and the Orioles would lose an outfielder.

Even with Nolan Reimold starting basically every day and Luke Scott back from injury, Pie will be the back up outfielder and Dave Trembley will still find him some at bats for the rest of the season to show the Orioles that he belongs in the majors leagues to stay. It has and will continue to be about fulfilling potential for the young outfielder.

Jamie Walker To Be Released

Veteran relief pitcher Jamie Walker will be given his release from the Orioles due to his lackluster performance coming out of the bullpen this year. Walker's primary job was to get out left-handed batters but he was not successful with that in 2009, as lefties batted a staggering .458 off him.

This was the last year in the 3 year $12MM contract that Walker inked before the start of the 2007 season. The Orioles will still owe $3MM to Walker. The move was not a surprise as it was being discussed often over the last few weeks. Walker was prone to the HR ball as well, losing his past effectiveness. To replace him on the roster, the Orioles will bring up Alberto Castillo, a left-hander. That name might sound familiar as Castillo pitched in 28 games with a 3.81 ERA for the major league club last season. To begin 2009, Castillo was assigned to Triple A Norfolk