Injury Puts Bullpen In a Bind

FORT MYERS, Fla., March 19 -- The uncertainty surrounding Todd Williams's availability for Opening Day is causing the Baltimore Orioles to scramble for alternatives in their bullpen.

It appears that, at best, Williams, who nursed a sore shoulder for the majority of spring training and then strained his calf last week, won't be available to pitch in consecutive games to start the season if he's deemed healthy enough to be on the Opening Day roster.

Williams is scheduled to throw bullpen sessions on Tuesday and Thursday, and barring any setbacks, he'll make his exhibition game debut on Sunday. In that case, his arm and shoulder won't be in shape to pitch on consecutive days by the start of the season.

The Orioles are scouring the trade and free agent markets but there appear to be few alternatives. A pitcher such as Antonio Osuna, a free agent reliever who pitched for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, might be an option, though he isn't an attractive one. Baltimore, according to one baseball source, also is calling to see if any left-handed relievers are available, but no serious talks have taken place.

It appears Baltimore's best option for relief help may come from within. If Williams isn't available to start the season then Manager Sam Perlozzo said young starter Hayden Penn may make the team.

"If we decide that would be our best ballclub until Todd was ready then no," Perlozzo said of whether he would have any hesitation in having Penn in the bullpen.

The Orioles have several options regarding Williams. If the injured reliever does not pitch in a game where admission is charged, such as a minor league or simulated game, then Baltimore can backdate the day he would be placed on the disabled list. In that situation, Williams would be available to come off the list on April 8.

Rotation Taking Shape

It appears that Perlozzo will name his rotation during the middle of the week, shortly after Daniel Cabrera returns from pitching for the Dominican Republic in the Classic.

"It depends on when he gets here," Perlozzo said when asked when Cabrera will pitch again this spring. "I'm hoping [Cabrera] will be here by Tuesday then we could slot him." . . .

In his first start since the Classic, Rodrigo Lopez allowed two runs in three innings. "I definitely didn't feel 100 percent," he said. "I think I'm still on West Coast time. To be honest, I felt lazy on the mound. It's just the situation with being in the WBC. No excuses, but I felt different." . . .

Javy Lopez hit his first home run of spring training in the ninth inning.

Quotable "Leo [Mazzone] has been working with him on his tempo. He's quickened his temp up. He's attacking hitters." Manager Sam Perlozzo on pitcher Erik Bedard, who allowed one run in five innings in a 3-1 loss to Boston yesterday Up Next Tomorrow vs. Mets in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 1:05 p.m.