The Orioles have lost 26-year old righty reliever Jim Miller to a torn tendon below his right shoulder. He will be shut down for the next 6-8 weeks for the Orioles and he might need surgery which would likely cost him a big chunk of time in 2009. Miller pitched in 56 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA ball this season and he was 3-6 with 10 saves, a 3.15 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. Miller whiffed 96 batters and only allowed 61 hits in 80 innings in the minors this season. Miller also worked in 8 games (0 starts) for the Orioles this season and he was 0-2 with 1 save, a 1.17 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP. The Orioles have their fingers crossed that rest will cure what ails Miller.

The Orioles have shut down righty starting pitcher Daniel Cabrera due to a strained right elbow. Cabrera started 30 games for the Orioles this season and he was 8-10 with a 5.25 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. Cabrera walked 90 batters, hit 18 batters and allowed 24 homers in only 180 innings this season. Cabrera does not seem to be getting any better as a starting pitcher so what would the Orioles have to lose in making him a relief pitcher. Maybe his control would be better knowing that he’s only going to pitch one inning at a time. Plus, he definately has the stuff to succeed as a short reliever. Cabrera has pitched in 147 games (146 starts) in his career now and he is 48-59 with 1 save, a 5.05 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP.

Outfielder Luis Montanez and 1B Oscar Salazar have come up from the minors swinging. Montanez has played in 30 games for the Orioles this season and he is 27 for 87 (.310 avg, .793 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 2 homers and 11 RBIs. Salazar has played in 24 games for the Orioles this season and he is 14 for 54 (.259 avg, .943 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 5 homers and 13 RBIs. Both of these guys are making good first impressions on the Orioles and they could make the team and have prominent roles on the 2009 version of the Orioles.

The Orioles have placed starting ace Jeremy Guthrie on the 15-day disabled list with a right should impingement. Guthrie was the best starting pitcher the Orioles had last season as he started 29 games and he was 10-11 with a 3.57 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Manager Dave Trembley is holding out hope that Guthrie will return a make a start before the season is over but it would be smarter to just shut him down so that he really doesn’t get injured seriously.

The Orioles have placed righty Dennis Sarfate on the 15-day disabled list with a right distal clavicle fracture. Sarfate pitched in 57 games (4 starts) for the Orioles this season and he was 4-3 with a 4.74 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. Sarfate worked 79.2 innings this season for the Orioles and he only allowed 62 hits and whiffed 86 batters. But, control was a huge issue as Sarfate walked a stunning 62 batters this season. If he doesn’t improve his control in the offseason he might not make the Orioles’ roster next season.