By Jeff Zrebiec | jeff.zrebiec@baltsun.com

June 26, 2009
MIAMI — - Orioles pitcher Koji Uehara will see team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens Friday morning in an effort to determine the cause of the soreness in his right elbow. Though the Orioles won't know officially until Uehara is evaluated, his scheduled start Sunday against the Washington Nationals is in jeopardy.

"He didn't throw yesterday or today," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "He was told not to. He'll see Dr. Wilckens ... then we'll make a determination on his status for Sunday's start."

Asked whether Uehara's uncertain status was the reason Triple-A Norfolk right-hander David Hernandez was pulled after four perfect innings Wednesday, Trembley said, "I think that's probably very self-explanatory why that happened."

Uehara (2-4, 4.05 ERA) acknowledged that he asked out of his start Tuesday after six innings in which he allowed just one run. He told team officials later that his elbow was tired. It's the latest ailment for Uehara, who has struggled making the adjustment to pitching in a five-man rotation.

"His background the last couple of years has been pitching out of the bullpen. That's why we've tried to do the very best that we can as far as stretching his days [out] in between starts," Trembley said.

When pressed on whether Uehara, 34, is a better fit for the bullpen, Trembley said: "I haven't talked to anybody about it, but I've thought about it. Right now, the first thing we have to get through is we need to get him checked out by Dr. Wilckens and see where we're at."

Trembley mum on Pie meeting
A day after expressing displeasure with both a base-running and fielding miscue by Felix Pie in Wednesday's loss, Trembley declined to comment when asked whether he had spoken to the reserve outfielder. Trembley did say that Pie still has a role on the club.

"As of right now, he's an extra outfielder," Trembley said. "I would agree that it is harder to get better if you're not playing on a more regular basis, but you also have to look at the fact that we've played so many games against teams that have left-handed pitching. It was very limited in the opportunities for him to go out there. And there was no DH. He might have had an opportunity to play more if there were some more right-handed starters."

Hobgood in town
Orioles first-round draft pick Matt Hobgood arrived in Baltimore late Wednesday night and started his physical Thursday. Barring anything unforeseen, Hobgood, a right-handed pitcher out of Norco High in suburban Los Angeles, will sign his contract and be introduced to the Camden Yards crowd during Saturday's game against the Nationals.

Hobgood, the fifth overall pick in the draft, will receive a signing bonus of just under $2.5 million. On Sunday, Hobgood will leave Baltimore and join one of the Orioles' affiliates, most likely Rookie-level Bluefield.

"We basically got this thing done," Orioles director of amateur scouting Joe Jordan said. "He's just got to get through the physical process, and we'll sign the contract, and get this thing going."

Future looks bright
The Orioles' stable of young pitching prospects will be well represented during the All-Star Game festivities, as Triple-A right-hander Chris Tillman and Double-A left-hander Brian Matusz were selected to the U.S. team for the Futures Game, which annually features some of baseball's most promising young minor leaguers.

The game will take place July 12 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Tillman, 21, is 5-4 with a 2.59 ERA for Norfolk. Matusz, 22, allowed one unearned run and struck out 10 over six innings in his Bowie debut after 11 starts for Single-A Frederick in which he was 4-2 with a 2.16 ERA.

Triple-A Norfolk right-hander Jake Arrieta, the other of the Orioles' big three pitching prospects, was invited to the Futures Game last season.