The end of spring training is looming for the Orioles and the other major league teams so cuts have to be made to get the roster down to the limit of 25. Well, eight roster moves were made Monday to get closer to that number.
The most notable of the cuts is outfielder Nolan Reimold. Reimold had an option left so, according to a team press release, the outfielder will start the year at Triple-A Norfolk. Felix Pie has won the backup outfield spot, presumably because he doesn’t have any options remaining and can play center field.
Reimold should be back in Baltimore after a solid spring. He has the versatility to play both corner outfield positions and first base, but not center field.
Possibly the biggest surprise among the cuts is the O’s will go in to the 2011 season with only one left-hander in the bullpen. That means Mark Hendrickson, who has been on the team the last two seasons, isn’t making the team and Clay Rapada, who could be called up later in the season, won’t be in the bullpen.
As I see it, the four starters will be Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta and Brad Bergesen while Chris Tillman is optioned to the minor leagues. That also means the O’s will be keeping three catchers, including Jake Fox.
This roster is a switch from past year’s when sometimes the O’s would consider taking 13 pitchers north.
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