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Albers Picks Rehab Over Surgery
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Thursday, July 3, 2008
BALTIMORE, July 2 -- Baltimore Orioles right-hander Matt Albers chose Wednesday to attempt to keep playing despite a torn labrum in his right shoulder, opting against season-ending surgery.
The decision came shortly after Albers visited the office of orthopedic surgeon James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.
"This was the course that both our orthopedic doctor and Dr. Andrews thought was the proper course," Orioles President Andy MacPhail said. "It's the course that Matt believes is the right course, so it's the course we take."
Albers was not available for comment. One of five players acquired from the Houston Astros in the Miguel Tejada trade during the offseason, Albers suffered the injury in his first inning as a spot starter against the Chicago Cubs on June 25. Before being sidelined, Albers was one of the bright spots of a revamped Orioles bullpen, filling every role from emergency starter to situational reliever.
"The kid's really done a great job for us," MacPhail said. "He filled a very important role, not one to be underestimated. He's going to be hard for us to replace."
Albers has a 3.49 ERA in 49 innings, mostly in relief.
Promising left-hander Troy Patton faced a similar decision during spring training. Patton chose surgery, an option that MacPhail refused to rule out for Albers, but not before an attempt at rehab.
"I think it's just the prudent course," MacPhail said. "You give him the opportunity to rehab and you see how it comes along. If that doesn't work, you can always go" to surgery.
Loewen Up for Anything
Adam Loewen pitched two scoreless innings of relief on Tuesday night, though Manager Dave Trembley still is unsure what role the tall left-hander will occupy in the bullpen. Trembley didn't rule out Loewen pitching more than three innings in an appearance.
"A lot of guys in the bullpen already have roles and I just want to be myself and however I can contribute," Loewen said. "That's what I want to do."
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