JUPITER, Fla. -- Orioles manager Dave Trembley said several decisions will be made after Monday's open date, and one of them likely will be the identity of the Orioles' closer -- not that there's much drama left in that decision.

The Orioles wanted George Sherrill from the Seattle Mariners for Erik Bedard because they had visions he would be their closer this season, and nothing he has done this spring has changed their mind.

Sherrill, who had a career 10.48 ERA in spring training entering this year, has allowed just one earned run, two hits and no walks in five innings.

All that's left is for Trembley to publicly anoint the left-hander as his closer.

"After the 17th, I'll make that announcement, but he's looking very good," Trembley said. "I would say he's leading the pack right now. ... His spring has been far better than he told me it would be. He told me when he came in, 'Don't get excited, because I'm always a slow starter and I don't have a good spring.' It's been pretty good for me. He wants to be the guy. I know that about him."

Sherrill, who has four career major league saves, appears ready for the opportunity.

"I just want to get through camp and get a feel for everything," Sherrill said. "It's something I definitely want to do, but I don't feel comfortable telling the skipper what to do. I'm ready for it, though."

Trembley backs L. Hernandez

Trembley met with Luis Hernandez on Monday and came away from the discussion confident that the struggling infielder will be able to rebound from his tough spring start.

Bidding for the starting shortstop job with Brandon Fahey this spring, Hernandez has looked shaky in the field with three errors, and he's only 3-for-16 at the plate.

Trembley said yesterday that Hernandez, a 23-year-old who has played in only 30 career major league games, has looked nervous.

"I think he's gotten out of his lane somewhat and he needs to get back in it," Trembley said. "Like any young kid, he wants to do so well. All he needs to do is be himself. That's good enough."

Hernandez got the day off yesterday. Fahey was given the start in the Orioles' 2-2, 10-inning tie with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Orioles remain thin on infield depth and have expressed interest in several players, including the Houston Astros' Mark Loretta and the Chicago White Sox's Juan Uribe.

However, Trembley said yesterday that he would be more than satisfied with Hernandez as his Opening Day shortstop.

"I've seen Luis Hernandez play very well at shortstop, and I'm confident that he not only can do that, but will do that," Trembley said. "I think he's handling it pretty well. I saw him first thing this morning. His head was up, he was looking right at me, his eyes were good, he smiled. I think he'll be OK."

Around the horn

Troy Patton has an appointment in Los Angeles with Dr. Lewis Yocum on Monday and is expected to have surgery to repair the torn labrum in his left shoulder the next day. ... Utility infielder Scott Moore (abdominal strain) was cleared to resume swinging yesterday, and Trembley is hopeful he'll be able to return to the lineup this weekend. ... A day after going to a doctor, outfielder Luke Scott (flu) was feeling much better and is expected to return within the next couple of days. ... Brian Roberts was 1-for-3 and scored a run yesterday in front of two Chicago Cubs scouts.

jeff.zrebiec@baltsun.com