By Roch Kubatko
Baltimore Sun Staff
...The Orioles also will push back Jason Johnson's start one day, making him available to pitch Monday and allowing more time for the callus on his right middle finger to heal. Johnson has left his past two starts because of the finger.
Needing a spot starter for tomorrow, the Orioles will recall left-hander Eric DuBose from Triple-A Ottawa. DuBose is 3-1 with a 2.40 ERA in five appearances, walking four and striking out 21 in 30 innings.
In one scenario, DuBose would return to Ottawa after making his start, and the Orioles would recall Travis Driskill to pitch in relief. Driscoll is 2-0 with a 2.32 ERA in five appearances with the Lynx. He's walked two and struck out 24 in 31 innings.
Outfielder Larry Bigbie is a likely candidate to return to Ottawa when DuBose is added to the roster.
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O's notes: DuBose thrilled
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
BALTIMORE -- Maybe it's a few years later that he expected, but Eric DuBose will finally make a Major League start. He will be promoted from Triple-A Ottawa on Sunday to face the Kansas City Royals, consummating a long journey for the burly right-hander.
DuBose arrived at Camden Yards on Saturday morning and slapped hands with new teammates and donned his practice jersey in preparation for just his fifth Major League appearance.
"The first thing I thought was, 'Who are we playing?' " DuBose said. "I am excited about the chance. I know it's just one start, but it's a big opportunity."
The Orioles have helped DuBose resurrect his career. He was a former first-round pick of the Oakland A's in 1997 who was considered a top prospect before being felled with shoulder problems. DuBose got hurt, then got bypassed by Oakland standouts such as Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder.
Doctors finally diagnosed DuBose as having a torn labrum. After surgery, arduous rehabilitation, and brief stints with the Indians and Tigers, DuBose signed with the Orioles and was turned into a reliever. He flourished in that role and made his Major League debut last September 19. He had a 3.00 ERA in four appearances.
After showing a live arm in Spring Training, DuBose was converted to a starter. He was 3-1 with a 2.40 ERA for Ottawa, earning his long-awaited chance to start in the big leagues.
"I have been blessed enough for my arm to get stronger quickly and be able to start," he said. "I have been throwing pretty well. The transition has been smooth."
And there will definitely be eyes on DuBose. Club officials have said that with a full year in the Ottawa rotation, he could make a bid at the Orioles' rotation next season. The club would love to add another left-hander to the rotation to join Omar Daal, especially one three years from arbitration.
"Any time you get in the big leagues, it's an opportunity," DuBose said. "So that's how I have to look at it. I just have to prepare myself and help this team."
Infielder Jose Leon or outfielder Larry Bigbie likely will be optioned back to Ottawa to make roster space for DuBose.
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DuBose Makes Bullpen Pitch to the Orioles
Posted - March 10, 2003 3:35pm
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. (AP) - Shoulder surgery, four organizations in six years and the pressure of being a first-round draft choice have taught Eric DuBose an important lesson.
"I worry about what I can control," said the Baltimore Orioles' left-handed reliever. "The other stuff, I try not to think about it too much. The only pressure that comes is the pressure you put on yourself."
That philosophy may finally land DuBose the major league job he's been craving since the Oakland A's made him the 21st overall draft pick in 1997.
Manager Mike Hargrove expects the Orioles to open the season with a seven-man bullpen, including three southpaws.
Veteran left-handers Buddy Groom and B.J. Ryan are penciled in, leaving a spot open for DuBose, 26, a non-roster invitee who has been impressive during exhibition games.
DuBose is 0-1 with an earned-run average of 3.00 in three relief outings. He has allowed two home runs, struck out four and walked none.
"Eric has the ability to be a matchup guy late in ball games, but he also has a starter's mentality," said Hargrove, who could also use the left-hander in long relief.
A starter early in his minor league career, DuBose was converted into a full-time reliever in 2000. He missed the 2001 season after surgery to repair a torn left labrum and rotator cuff.
Oakland gave up on DuBose, who was also claimed and waived by the Cleveland and Detroit organizations.
The Orioles signed him as a minor league free agent in January 2002, and DuBose pitched to a 2.41 ERA in 41 relief appearances at Double-A Bowie. That earned late-season promotions to Triple-A Rochester and then to Baltimore, where he pitched in four games.
"I like relieving because I have a chance to have an impact in every game," DuBose said. "Relieving is a quicker way to the big leagues, too. There are more relievers and more of a need for left-handed relievers."
Defying baseball logic, DuBose was more effective against right-handers, who hit .203 against him, than left-handed hitters, who hit .208 last year at Bowie. He credits the development of a pitch to complement his fastball.
"I don't have the same fastball I used to have, but that's OK," he said. "I've developed a change-up to go with it and it's becoming an out pitch for me."
DuBose is formulating travel plans for when spring training ends.
"One way or the other, I'm going north. The only question is where," he said. "If it's Baltimore, that's great. If it's Ottawa, I'll be ready so the first time they need someone in Baltimore, I'm the one that will get the call."
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Baltimore Sun Staff
...The Orioles also will push back Jason Johnson's start one day, making him available to pitch Monday and allowing more time for the callus on his right middle finger to heal. Johnson has left his past two starts because of the finger.
Needing a spot starter for tomorrow, the Orioles will recall left-hander Eric DuBose from Triple-A Ottawa. DuBose is 3-1 with a 2.40 ERA in five appearances, walking four and striking out 21 in 30 innings.
In one scenario, DuBose would return to Ottawa after making his start, and the Orioles would recall Travis Driskill to pitch in relief. Driscoll is 2-0 with a 2.32 ERA in five appearances with the Lynx. He's walked two and struck out 24 in 31 innings.
Outfielder Larry Bigbie is a likely candidate to return to Ottawa when DuBose is added to the roster.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
O's notes: DuBose thrilled
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
BALTIMORE -- Maybe it's a few years later that he expected, but Eric DuBose will finally make a Major League start. He will be promoted from Triple-A Ottawa on Sunday to face the Kansas City Royals, consummating a long journey for the burly right-hander.
DuBose arrived at Camden Yards on Saturday morning and slapped hands with new teammates and donned his practice jersey in preparation for just his fifth Major League appearance.
"The first thing I thought was, 'Who are we playing?' " DuBose said. "I am excited about the chance. I know it's just one start, but it's a big opportunity."
The Orioles have helped DuBose resurrect his career. He was a former first-round pick of the Oakland A's in 1997 who was considered a top prospect before being felled with shoulder problems. DuBose got hurt, then got bypassed by Oakland standouts such as Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder.
Doctors finally diagnosed DuBose as having a torn labrum. After surgery, arduous rehabilitation, and brief stints with the Indians and Tigers, DuBose signed with the Orioles and was turned into a reliever. He flourished in that role and made his Major League debut last September 19. He had a 3.00 ERA in four appearances.
After showing a live arm in Spring Training, DuBose was converted to a starter. He was 3-1 with a 2.40 ERA for Ottawa, earning his long-awaited chance to start in the big leagues.
"I have been blessed enough for my arm to get stronger quickly and be able to start," he said. "I have been throwing pretty well. The transition has been smooth."
And there will definitely be eyes on DuBose. Club officials have said that with a full year in the Ottawa rotation, he could make a bid at the Orioles' rotation next season. The club would love to add another left-hander to the rotation to join Omar Daal, especially one three years from arbitration.
"Any time you get in the big leagues, it's an opportunity," DuBose said. "So that's how I have to look at it. I just have to prepare myself and help this team."
Infielder Jose Leon or outfielder Larry Bigbie likely will be optioned back to Ottawa to make roster space for DuBose.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
DuBose Makes Bullpen Pitch to the Orioles
Posted - March 10, 2003 3:35pm
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. (AP) - Shoulder surgery, four organizations in six years and the pressure of being a first-round draft choice have taught Eric DuBose an important lesson.
"I worry about what I can control," said the Baltimore Orioles' left-handed reliever. "The other stuff, I try not to think about it too much. The only pressure that comes is the pressure you put on yourself."
That philosophy may finally land DuBose the major league job he's been craving since the Oakland A's made him the 21st overall draft pick in 1997.
Manager Mike Hargrove expects the Orioles to open the season with a seven-man bullpen, including three southpaws.
Veteran left-handers Buddy Groom and B.J. Ryan are penciled in, leaving a spot open for DuBose, 26, a non-roster invitee who has been impressive during exhibition games.
DuBose is 0-1 with an earned-run average of 3.00 in three relief outings. He has allowed two home runs, struck out four and walked none.
"Eric has the ability to be a matchup guy late in ball games, but he also has a starter's mentality," said Hargrove, who could also use the left-hander in long relief.
A starter early in his minor league career, DuBose was converted into a full-time reliever in 2000. He missed the 2001 season after surgery to repair a torn left labrum and rotator cuff.
Oakland gave up on DuBose, who was also claimed and waived by the Cleveland and Detroit organizations.
The Orioles signed him as a minor league free agent in January 2002, and DuBose pitched to a 2.41 ERA in 41 relief appearances at Double-A Bowie. That earned late-season promotions to Triple-A Rochester and then to Baltimore, where he pitched in four games.
"I like relieving because I have a chance to have an impact in every game," DuBose said. "Relieving is a quicker way to the big leagues, too. There are more relievers and more of a need for left-handed relievers."
Defying baseball logic, DuBose was more effective against right-handers, who hit .203 against him, than left-handed hitters, who hit .208 last year at Bowie. He credits the development of a pitch to complement his fastball.
"I don't have the same fastball I used to have, but that's OK," he said. "I've developed a change-up to go with it and it's becoming an out pitch for me."
DuBose is formulating travel plans for when spring training ends.
"One way or the other, I'm going north. The only question is where," he said. "If it's Baltimore, that's great. If it's Ottawa, I'll be ready so the first time they need someone in Baltimore, I'm the one that will get the call."
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