The Orioles put the right side of their infielder on the disabled list today as first baseman Derrek Lee went on the 15-day DL with a left oblique strain, and second baseman Brian Roberts went on Major League's Baseball's seven-day concussion DL. Roberts' trip to the seven-day DL is pending league approval.
Triple-A Norfolk pitchers Chris Jakubauskas and Troy Patton were recalled to take their roster spots. One of them will likely be demoted tomorrow so the Orioles could add an extra infielder.
Lee will be eligible to come off the DL on June 1. Roberts, who has been experiencing headaches after his head-first slide into first base Monday, will be eligible to come off the seven-day DL on Tuesday. It's obviously unclear at this time if either player will be available as soon as their DL stint ends, but Orioles manager Buck Showalter described the prospects of Lee playing immediately as "iffy."
The developments leave the Orioles with just a two-man bench for a second straight night with CC Sabathia on the mound. Luke Scott and Matt Wieters are reserves. Showalter didn't want Wieters catching for a second straight day after he caught 15 innings last night and he also was well aware that tonight's starter Brad Bergesen threw a complete game shutout the last time he was paired with catcher Jake Fox.
Jeremy Guthrie, who was used in relief last night, will start on Saturday. Jake Arrieta and Chris Tillman will face the Washington Nationals on Friday and Sunday respectively. Showalter said that the Orioles haven't discussed going to a four-man rotation even though having four off days in a 22-day span, starting Monday, would probably allow it.
Brian Matusz will make a rehab start for Double-A Bowie on Saturday. Cesar Izturis will have elbow surgery on Tuesday and it will be performed by Orioles team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens.