It's official. The Orioles have purchased the contract of pitcher Cory Morris from Triple-A Ottawa and designated catcher Raul Chavez for assignment. They have 10 days to trade or release Chavez, and he could refuse an outright assignment. You know the drill.
Chavez spent most of the morning on his cell phone. He was called into manager Sam Perlozzo's office and given the news, then returned to his locker and dialed up the cell again. I'm sure the two conversations were quite different.
The move gives the Orioles a 12-man pitching staff for the first time this season. "We felt we needed insurance, especially today and tomorrow," Perlozzo said.
Morris will be used in long and middle relief, though he might have to assist in the later innings today because Sendy Rleal and LaTroy Hawkins aren't available.
Here's your lineup, as promised:
David Newhan - RF
Luis Matos - LF
Melvin Mora - 3B
Miguel Tejada - SS
Jay Gibbons - DH
Kevin Millar - 1B
Ramon Hernandez - C
Chris Gomez - 2B
Corey Patterson - CF
And pitching: Rodrigo Lopez
Newhan is making his first start, and he was "fired up" about facing Tim Wakefield, according to Perlozzo. Not everyone would be excited about having his first start come against a knuckleballer. Good for Newhan. Embrace every opportunity. You never know when the next one is coming.
I also like him batting leadoff. He might be the fastest guy on the team now. If not, he's running a close second to Corey Patterson. Maybe we can arrange a match race.
