Outfielder Jeff Fiorentino, who last played for the Orioles in 2006, batted .312 with 12 homers and 67 RBIs for Norfolk. (Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr. / March 3, 2006) |
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It had been about three years since outfielder Jeff Fiorentino last entered the home clubhouse at Camden Yards and prepared for a big league game. Reliever Dennis Sarfate's wait had been four months, but it seemed just as long.
The pair, along with Triple-A Norfolk relievers Matt Albers and Alberto Castillo,were summoned to the major leagues Tuesday on the first day rosters were eligible to expand.
"I was excited and relieved to get another opportunity up here," said Fiorentino, who batted .312 with 12 homers and 67 RBIs in 102 games for the Tides. "I'm going to go out there and do my best to help the team out and prove my worth."
Fiorentino, selected by the Orioles in the third round of the 2004 draft, has taken a circuitous route back to the majors since he was plucked out of Single-A to make his debut with the Orioles on May 12, 2005. He played 32 games for the Orioles in 2005 and 2006 before he was dropped from the 40-man roster Jan. 4, 2008. The Cincinnati Reds picked him up but three weeks later designated him for assignment.
He joined the Oakland Athletics and started the season in the majors but was demoted after one at-bat. While with Triple-A Sacramento, Fiorentino was hit by a thrown ball and broke three bones in his cheek and his second orbital bone. The Orioles picked him up off waivers that season, but he didn't get a big league call-up or even an invitation to major league spring training this year.
"I've learned so much," Fiorentino said. "This game is about consistency, and the people that go in day in and day out with the most consistent approach, they're the guys that are going to have the most success. This is the first year I've been able to be consistent throughout the whole year."
Sarfate, 28, started the season with the Orioles and had a 6.39 ERA in eight appearances before he was placed on the disabled list May 3 because of a circulatory problem in his right middle finger. He went 2-1 with a 6.32 ERA in 14 rehabilitation appearances for three Orioles affiliates.
"It's been a disappointing year so far," said Sarfate, who plans to pitch for a month in the Mexican Winter League. "It's been one thing after another. I just didn't expect it to take four months to be back."
Albers is in his fourth stint with the Orioles this season. He had an 11.57 ERA in four August appearances for the Tides. It is Castillo's second recall this season from Norfolk, where the left-hander went 2-3 with 13 saves and a 2.77 ERA in 50 appearances.
After signing a contract extension with the Orioles before the season, Markakis and his wife, Christina, established the nonprofit Right Side Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of distressed children in Maryland. The Markakises have hosted several charitable events, including a day at the Inner Harbor ESPN Zone and National Aquarium for 21 children from the Ronald McDonald House, and a 5K Race attended by nearly 600 runners.
Nick and his wife regularly donate their suite at Camden Yards to a Maryland youth group and committed $75,000 this season to the Orioles Charitable Foundation.
The pair, along with Triple-A Norfolk relievers Matt Albers and Alberto Castillo,were summoned to the major leagues Tuesday on the first day rosters were eligible to expand.
"I was excited and relieved to get another opportunity up here," said Fiorentino, who batted .312 with 12 homers and 67 RBIs in 102 games for the Tides. "I'm going to go out there and do my best to help the team out and prove my worth."
Fiorentino, selected by the Orioles in the third round of the 2004 draft, has taken a circuitous route back to the majors since he was plucked out of Single-A to make his debut with the Orioles on May 12, 2005. He played 32 games for the Orioles in 2005 and 2006 before he was dropped from the 40-man roster Jan. 4, 2008. The Cincinnati Reds picked him up but three weeks later designated him for assignment.
He joined the Oakland Athletics and started the season in the majors but was demoted after one at-bat. While with Triple-A Sacramento, Fiorentino was hit by a thrown ball and broke three bones in his cheek and his second orbital bone. The Orioles picked him up off waivers that season, but he didn't get a big league call-up or even an invitation to major league spring training this year.
"I've learned so much," Fiorentino said. "This game is about consistency, and the people that go in day in and day out with the most consistent approach, they're the guys that are going to have the most success. This is the first year I've been able to be consistent throughout the whole year."
Sarfate, 28, started the season with the Orioles and had a 6.39 ERA in eight appearances before he was placed on the disabled list May 3 because of a circulatory problem in his right middle finger. He went 2-1 with a 6.32 ERA in 14 rehabilitation appearances for three Orioles affiliates.
"It's been a disappointing year so far," said Sarfate, who plans to pitch for a month in the Mexican Winter League. "It's been one thing after another. I just didn't expect it to take four months to be back."
Albers is in his fourth stint with the Orioles this season. He had an 11.57 ERA in four August appearances for the Tides. It is Castillo's second recall this season from Norfolk, where the left-hander went 2-3 with 13 saves and a 2.77 ERA in 50 appearances.
Markakis a Clemente nominee
Right fielder Nick Markakis was named Tuesday as the Orioles' nominee for the 2009 Roberto Clemente award, given annually to the player who combines exceptional performance on the field with devoted work in the community. The winner will be announced on the night of Game 3 of the World Series.After signing a contract extension with the Orioles before the season, Markakis and his wife, Christina, established the nonprofit Right Side Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of distressed children in Maryland. The Markakises have hosted several charitable events, including a day at the Inner Harbor ESPN Zone and National Aquarium for 21 children from the Ronald McDonald House, and a 5K Race attended by nearly 600 runners.
Nick and his wife regularly donate their suite at Camden Yards to a Maryland youth group and committed $75,000 this season to the Orioles Charitable Foundation.
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well they healthy bodies at this point to finish out the season.fiorentino isnt part of the problem hopefully the orioles sign a big bat jim thome would look good in orange and black. we need hitters on this team to compete in the al east . we look like an national league team one bat short we lost more games this year by not getting the big hit or a sacrifice fly. so offense should be a priority that will help our young arms .
cigarjon1968 (09/02/2009, 6:22 PM )