ORIOLES NOTEBOOK
Quiroz to Back Up Hernández, Be Loewen's Battery Mate
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Thursday, March 27, 2008
JUPITER, Fla., March 26 -- Guillermo Quiroz won the job as the Baltimore Orioles' backup catcher on Wednesday. Quiroz will spell starter Ramón Hernández and also will be left-hander Adam Loewen's personal catcher.
"I like what he brings to our team," Manager Dave Trembley said. "I like how he establishes the pace of the game and how he calls the game."
Earlier in the week, Trembley said he wanted to keep an eye on how many games Hernández would catch this season, trying not to tax the veteran's durability behind the plate. Quiroz's pairing with Loewen ensures that he will catch regularly while giving Hernández a chance to rest. Quiroz is batting .333 in 15 Grapefruit League games.
Also Wednesday, the Orioles announced that catcher Chris Heintz, infielder Eider Torres and outfielder Chris Roberson will be reassigned to Class AAA Norfolk after Saturday's exhibition game against Washington at Nationals Park and Sunday's workout at Camden Yards.
Infielder Oscar Salazar, who has been impressive this spring, will report to the team's minor league camp in Sarasota after Thursday's game with the Nationals. Salazar, a non-roster invitee, is hitting .313 in 23 games with a home run and five RBI. He has not struck out in 32 plate appearances and is scheduled to play second base Thursday.
"I think we're making progress in that area, as far as identifying who's going to be here and telling guys what their roles are going to be," Trembley said.
Final Tuneup for Guthrie
Orioles right-hander Jeremy Guthrie allowed four runs -- three earned -- in 4 1/3 innings in an 8-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, his final outing before starting Opening Day.
Guthrie threw 29 pitches in the first inning, when he kept the Cardinals from scoring despite loading the bases. After his early escape, Guthrie didn't need more than 13 pitches to get through each of the next three innings.
But he was knocked out of the game in the fifth inning when a dropped fly ball by center fielder Jay Payton extended the inning. Guthrie left the game with two base runners aboard, and reliever Matt Albers allowed both to score, one on a passed ball by Hernández.
Guthrie finished with a walk and two strikeouts. . . .
Shortstop Luis Hernández returned to the lineup on Wednesday after missing Tuesday's game to undergo root canal surgery.
