Spring Training Blues

Spring is often characterized as a time of rebirth and hope. Over the years, sportswriters have given us many lyrical pieces using spring training as a metaphor for the pregnant potential of the vernal season. This spring though, the Orioles have given us plenty of reasons to worry. Will O's fans wind up wishing for six more weeks of winter?

Injuries have to be the biggest worry. The Orioles have many proven injury risks on the roster so this isn't a surprise. With only two spring innings under his belt, Justin Duchscherer is unlikely to be on the opening day roster. Koji Uehara, Brian Roberts, and Derrek Lee have missed most of spring training with injuries but all seem to be on the mend. Whether they can be ready for opening day is still in question. Roberts' situation is especially troublesome since the 2010 Orioles proved there is no replacement for him in the organization.

The pitchers have also given O's fans reason to worry. Much of February's optimism was rooted in the success of the young pitchers last August. It would have been nice to see them carry that momentum through spring. Sadly, that has not happened.

Brad Bergesen, Jeremy Guthrie, Jake Arrieta, and Brian Matusz all have ERAs floating between 5 and 6. That's four-fifths of the projected starting rotation. Still, spring ERAs don't really matter. They are based on a small handful of innings, plus you never know who is working on a new pitch or technique. What is legitimately troubling is that the starters aren't making it out of the fifth inning. From a physical stamina perspective, how are they going to pitch seven innings in April when they can't manage five in late March?

The best Oriole starter this spring has been Zach Britton, who will start the year in the minors for contractual reasons. Justin Duchsherer's injury problems opened the door for former Marlin prospect Rick VandenHurk. Vandy responded to the challenge by thunderously crapping the bed. His 13.50 ERA should probably be even higher given his eight walks allowed in six innings. Silver lining? VandenHurk was probably bad enough that he will clear waivers. We can watch him again next spring.

The bullpen isn't looking much better than the rotation. Since Koji missed spring training and the accompanying physical conditioning drills, we can look forward to another year of him sweating through his cap and looking exhausted after three pitches. The Sun ran an interesting article yesterday about Kevin Gregg's spring struggles. Apparently he is at minor league camp trying to sort out his mechanics after getting lit up in some major league spring games. That's the back end of the bullpen.

Rebirth of spring? Meet the 2011 Baltimore Orioles.