Orioles right-handed pitcher Daniel Cabrera didn’t rule out injury as a reason for his recent struggles.
Now the Orioles are trying to completely erase any concerns.
The 6-foot-9, 270-pound Dominican hurler will under go a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test on his elbow Tuesday, manager Dave Trembley revealed before Monday’s regularly-scheduled game with the Chicago White Sox.
Trembley and Cabrera met briefly Monday afternoon, and shortly thereafter, the team’s longest-tenured starter underwent an exam by club orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens. It was determined sometime thereafter that Cabrera had no signs of injury, and that an MRI would be the next necessary step in the confirmation process.
“Dr. Wilckens doesn’t seem to think there’s a problem,” Trembley said. “He’ll have an MRI as just a precautionary measure. I guess [Tuesday] after he has the MRI, I’ll have a better idea. They don’t seem to think there is a problem.”
Cabrera was asked by reporters Monday afternoon about his health, to which he replied, “no comment.”
Cabrera has struggled mightily in the month of August. He has a 7.37 ERA for the month, and Sunday lasted just 3.2 innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits in a no-decision.
After the game, he said he was unable to answer any questions about his health. And when asked about his noticeable dip in velocity, the pitcher with a reputation for being a hard-thrower simply offered, “no comment.”
For the season, Cabrera is 8-8 with a 5.24 ERA.
His next scheduled start is Saturday at American League East Division-leading Tampa Bay.
Should Cabrera require a trip to the disabled list, the Orioles would have three potential replacements in the organization. Left-hander Garrett Olson was sent down to Norfolk Aug. 21. Minor league journeyman Andy Mitchell is 12-7 with a 4.14 ERA in 31 games with the Tides. The less-likely option is right-hander Brad Bergesen, who is 15-5 with a 3.11 ERA in 23 games with the Double-A Bowie Baysox. Despite having a breakout season, the Orioles have been reluctant to promote the 22-year old.
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