LHP Hendrickson, RHP Riske Among Cuts By Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) -- Veteran pitchers Mark Hendrickson, David Riske and Rick VandenHurk were designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles on Monday.
Left fielder Nolan Reimold, infielder Nick Green and pitchers Ryan Drese, Clay Rapada and Pat Egan were assigned to Baltimore's minor league camp.
In addition, outfielder Randy Winn asked for his unconditional release and the Orioles complied.
Hendrickson, 36, was signed Jan. 31 as a minor league free agent. He spent the past two seasons pitching in relief with the Orioles and lifetime is 57-74 with a 5.02 ERA.
Hendrickson had a 3.86 ERA in six appearances this spring. He has been invited to pitch for Baltimore's Triple-A club, but Showalter said the pitcher would weigh his options before making a decision.
"It was tough. He's been in the big leagues for eight-plus years," manager Buck Showalter said. "He's a father, a husband, a solid human being. A professional. But I think he will pitch in the big leagues this year, hopefully for us."
Like Hendrickson, Riske, 34, can seek a major league job elsewhere. Riske left camp over the weekend to attend to a family matter in Las Vegas, according to Showalter.
Riske is 20-20 lifetime over 11 seasons with Cleveland, Boston, the Chicago White Sox, Kansas City and Milwaukee.
VandenHurk was acquired in a trade with the Florida Marlins last July. He began his stint with the Orioles in the minor leagues before being called up by Baltimore on Aug. 16. He went 0-1 with a 5.09 ERA in nine games with the Orioles and is 8-10 with a 5.86 ERA in 42 career appearances.
The moves leave Mike Gonzalez as the only left-hander in the Baltimore bullpen. The final makeup of the bullpen will depend on how Brad Bergesen bounces back after a line drive bruised his forearm Friday.
Bergesen threw on the side Monday and reported no discomfort, according to Showalter. He is scheduled to pitch in a minor league game Wednesday.
Felix Pie beat out Reimold as an extra outfielder, even though Reimold batted .315 with three homers and 10 RBIs. Pie, who took a .254 batting average into Monday's exhibition game against Detroit, is out of options. Therefore, the Orioles would risk losing him by dropping him from the 25-man roster.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
