Trembley Not Afraid to Use Bench

BALTIMORE, April 2 -- With light-hitting Luis Hernández starting at shortstop, Baltimore Orioles Manager Dave Trembley said during spring training that he may regularly pinch-hit for him late in games.

In Monday's 6-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, Trembley stayed true to his word, lifting Hernández for Jay Payton in the eighth inning.

"Whatever he gives us offensively is a bonus," Trembley said. Defense "is what I'm looking for."

Trembley said Wednesday that he won't hesitate to pinch-hit for anybody in the lineup this season, though his choices to do so may be somewhat limited.

Payton, who flew out for Hernández in the No. 9 spot, has the highest career pinch-hitting batting average (.284) among the Orioles' bench players. But Scott Moore, Brandon Fahey and Guillermo Quiroz, the rest of the reserves, have a combined 14 career pinch-hit appearances.

Meantime, Hernández said he isn't feeling any added pressure with the recent signing of shortstop Alex Cintrón, who agreed Monday to a minor league deal with the Orioles. Hernández already beat out Fahey for the starting job, though Cintrón has major league experience and gives the Orioles another middle-infield option.

Role for Reserves?

Trembley said he wants to give some reserves a chance to start at least one game before the end of the season-opening homestand with the Rays and Seattle Mariners, though he has yet to work out the details.

"I'd like to do that but I haven't written the lineups through the end of the homestand or anything," he said.

Trembley should get ample opportunity to use his bench. Baltimore is expected to face a pair of left-handers against the Mariners in Jarrod Washburn and former Orioles ace Erik Bedard. Also, Baltimore plays Sunday afternoon following a Saturday night game. . . .

After an odd 3:05 p.m. start time to begin the season on Monday and an off day on Tuesday, the Orioles returned to a typical schedule on Wednesday. "I like to get into a routine," Trembley said. "Today is a whole lot better for us in terms of getting into a routine." . . .

Starting second baseman Brian Roberts has made eight plate appearances so far this season, reaching base six times. He went 2 for 2 with two walks in the opener and was 1 for 3 with a walk and a home run Wednesday night.

Up Next

Today vs. Tampa Bay 7:05 p.m. Steve Trachsel (7-11, 4.90) vs. Andy Sonnanstine (6-10, 5.85) MASN

Tomorrow vs. Seattle 7:05 p.m. Adam Loewen (2-0, 3.56) vs. Jarrod Washburn (10-15, 4.32) MASN2