In what was both an unpopular move in the clubhouse and a necessary decision to protect a spent bullpen and a versatile reserve infielder, the Orioles demoted catcher Craig Tatum to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.
With starting catcher Matt Wieters (right hamstring strain) coming off the disabled list, Tatum became the odd man out because he still had a minor-league option, meaning he could be demoted without being passed through waivers.
The other alternatives to be dropped from the roster were versatile infielder/catcher Jake Fox, who is out of minor-league options, and one of the team's relievers in a bullpen that has pitched nearly as many innings as the starters this homestand.
"We are just not comfortable going with 12 pitchers due to the erratic nature of our starting pitching of late. I am afraid we will kill the bullpen if we don't keep the extra arm here," said president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail.
"That puts an extra burden on your position players. They need to be versatile, flexible. Whereas Jake doesn't have [minor-league] options, he can play first, he can play third, he can play left field. He's done an adequate job behind the plate," MacPhail added. "It became evident that this was really the only move that really made sense for us and preserved all of our options going forward."
Despite knowing that he may be sent down, Tatum, who hit .271 with no homers and five RBIs in 85 at-bats, was visibly disappointed when he left interim manager Juan Samuel's office after talking to MacPhail.
"Andy told me it wasn't for lack of production or anything like that, it's just the fact that our bullpen's been taxed … and I'm the guy that gets to take the fall," Tatum said. "It [stinks]. But what can you do? I understand why I've got to go down, but at the same time you don't understand."
After he spoke to reporters, Tatum sat at his locker with his head in his hands for a few moments until rookie Brian Matusz came over and offered encouraging words.
"He has done everything plus more. He has done everything expected [of him] to stay here and be here and that's why it is tough," Matusz said. "I think everyone's going to feel this one. It's really unfortunate because he deserves to stay here."
Tatum, 27, wasn't expected to make the team in March, but he beat out popular veteran Chad Moeller and endeared himself to teammates with his work ethic and easygoing nature. Billed as a "catch-and-throw" guy, he threw out only two of 23 would-be base stealers this season. But his ability to call a game and to fill in for an injured Wieters drew rave reviews from the pitching and coaching staffs.
"He's got to be one of the guys you could say has really overdone it expectations-wise. He has handled the pitchers really well. He has handled me very well. And he's hit," Matusz said. "This is a tough situation because he's been such a good catcher and I love throwing to him."
Said veteran pitcher Kevin Millwood: "It [stinks]. It [stinks] bad, because he made the team out of spring and I don't think anyone expected him to make the team. And he has done nothing but overachieve since Day 1. He is probably the one guy on this team that has done more than what is expected of him. For him to be the guy to go down, it's sad."
Barring injury to another player, Tatum must stay at Triple-A Norfolk for at least 10 days before he can be recalled. It's likely he would be brought back after the 10-day period if the Orioles trade a veteran. MacPhail, however, gave Tatum no guarantees that will happen.
"You just can't make promises, though, because you don't know how these things are going to unfold," MacPhail said.
Tatum injured his right hand in the seventh inning Saturday, when he took a foul tip to his throwing hand. It was still slightly swollen Sunday morning, but he hit off a tee in the batting cage and would have been able to play either Sunday or Monday. So MacPhail said putting him on the DL would have been "fraudulent."
Instead, he'll go to Norfolk, "just go down there, hang out, ride on buses," Tatum said.
Jones not expecting any problems
When the Orioles visited Toronto in late May, center fielder Adam Jones was detained by Canadian immigration officials in a case of mistaken identity. The episode angered Jones, who expressed frustration on his Twitter page that no team official stayed with him during his detainment. He backed off that criticism later in the day and acknowledged that there was a member of the organization (then third base coach and current interim manager Samuel) present at the airport.
Jones, who was believed to be mistaken by immigration officials for troubled NFL cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, laughed when he was reminded about the incident. He said he didn't expect it to happen again Sunday night when the Orioles traveled to Toronto to begin a three-game series with the Blue Jays.
During the additional screening process, both the Orioles and immigration officials took steps to make sure that Jones doesn't have the same problems the next time.
"I think it was handled and everything is copacetic," Jones said. "I doubt that will ever happen again."
Wieters didn't need rehab stint
There was discussion earlier this week that Wieters, who left the July 9 game in Texas after hurting his hamstring running the bases, might need a few days hitting in the minors before being activated from the disabled list.
But Wieters, who has been with the team this entire homestand, said he felt ready both at the plate and behind it.
"I was able to get work in and be around the club and take BP and catch bullpens and things like that," said Wieters, who hit .245 with six homers and 29 RBIs in 269 at-bats before the injury. "I feel like I have been doing baseball activities, so the transition may be a little easier than if I was just not doing anything for the past two weeks."
Samuel said Wieters will play the first two games in Toronto before likely getting Wednesday off, and will probably play in three of four games in Kansas City. Wieters had one hit in four at-bats against Minnesota on Sunday.
Around the horn
Jones was given the day off. He had played in 96 of the club's first 97 games. Felix Pie played center and Corey Patterson was in left. … The Orioles went 2-8 on what was their longest homestand of the season. … Nick Markakis' sacrifice fly in Sunday's first inning was his first RBI of the second half. … With two doubles Sunday, Luke Scott has hit in all seven games since being activated from the DL. He is hitting .481 with three doubles and four homers during that stretch.
Baltimore Sun reporter Jeff Zrebiec contributed to this article.
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