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Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen (pictured) was on his way to his second strong performance in a row when he grabbed at his side and exited Sunday's game with a right oblique strain. That's very bad news for a team that already has called on four Triple-A starters to fill in the fifth slot in the rotation and replace injured Miguel Gonzalez. It was a tough week already, after so-so outings by Jason Hammel, Freddy Garcia and Steve Johnson, and that was reflected in the combined numbers. The rotation posted a 2-2 record with a 6.03 ERA and averaged just five innings per start. Even though the team managed to go 4-2 in those games, this is starting to get scary.
Grade: D (Hannah Foslien / Getty Images /May 12, 2013)
Orioles right-hander Alfredo Simon has been placed on waivers, according to multiple industry sources. He was put on outright waivers. No announcement is expected from the team until he is claimed or clears.
Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said waiver information is confidential, but said as of now, Simon is on the Orioles’ 40-man roster. He would not comment further.
Simon recently missed nine games with a groin injury that forced him from a start against the Yankees on March 18. He returned on Wednesday, but allowed six runs on six hits in two innings of relief work.
Simon entered camp as one of a dozen starting rotation candidates, but he's also seen success in a long-relief role and that appeared to be his best opportunity to make the club out of camp.
A National League executive said Simon would undoubtedly be claimed. "You definitely take a chance on an arm like that," he said.
The Orioles must make space on the 40-man roster for two non-roster invitees likely to make the team, catcher Ronny Paulino and first baseman Nick Johnson.
Simon pitched nine innings this spring, allowing seven runs on 11 hits.
