ORIOLES NOTEBOOK
Long Relief Is Suiting Albers Well
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Friday, April 25, 2008
SEATTLE, April 24 -- Baltimore Orioles Manager Dave Trembley said that pitcher Matt Albers could one day be a starter -- as he has been for most of his professional career -- or even a late-innings reliever. But for now, Albers has carved himself a niche as an effective long reliever for the Orioles, a role Trembley does not plan to change.
"I don't think it's closed on him [to start], but the way we're set up down the road, I think he fits in rather nicely as a long reliever," Trembley said. "I'm talking about the guys that we have up and coming in this organization that we have earmarked to be starting pitchers for us. I think this guy really complements those guys."
Albers, 25, is 2-0 with a 0.68 ERA in five appearances out of the bullpen and one spot start. Opponents are hitting just .178 against the right-hander, whom the Orioles acquired from the Houston Astros as part of the Miguel Tejada trade.
"My goal is just to stay in the big leagues and help this team win games wherever they need me," said Albers, who was used more as a starter with the Astros last season.
While Trembley said he believes Albers has the arsenal to make it as a starting pitcher, Albers has been dominant out of the bullpen this season.
"I think if you use him on our club right now as a starting pitcher, you're opening up a hole in our bullpen that I'm not so sure we can fill right now," Trembley said. "I just don't see that. I think he's very valuable what he's doing right now."
Backups Get the Call
Reserve shortstop Brandon Fahey and outfielder Jay Payton started for the Orioles on Thursday. Backup catcher Guillermo Quiroz will catch the series opener against the White Sox in Chicago on Friday.
Earlier in the season, Trembley said he would regularly try to match Quiroz with left-handed starter Adam Loewen. But the two have only been paired once. Trembley said starting Quiroz according to the team's schedule needs has taken precedence.
