The key for Rocky Cherry to succeed in Baltimore is to repeat the simple skill that brought him back here: throw strikes.
Cherry, who opened the season on the disabled list after straining his right shoulder in spring training, has spent the entire season at Triple-A Norfolk. In a way, it’s been a blessing in disguise for the right-hander.
“It was frustrating to start on the [disabled list],” Cherry said. “But at the same time, when they optioned me down it was a good time for me to go down there and get consistent so when I did get called up I had everything together and I was ready to perform well.”
Cherry, 28, went 0-1 with a 2.89 ERA in 28 games with the Tides. He was recalled Friday, and made his first Orioles appearance in 10 months Saturday, tossing a scoreless seventh inning in a 9-0 win over Texas.
Bradford arrived in Baltimore after the Orioles traded right-handed reliever Chad Bradford to Tampa Bay for a player to be named later. Cherry likely will pitch the seventh inning a part of a bridge that leads to the ninth inning and All-Star closer George Sherrill.
“I would like to have that role,” Cherry said. “’’m not 100 percent sure they want that for me, but if they gave it to me, I would be happy to take it.”
Manager Dave Trembley sees a completely different pitcher than he did in spring training, as Cherry has an improved breaking ball and better command of all of his pitches.
“I think it probably had to do with him being 100 percent, better extension on his pitches, velocity was good, got the ball down,” Trembley said of Cherry’s outing Saturday. “I think he’ll be very good against right-handed hitters. He should be very good against right-handed hitters with his delivery and his arm angle.”
VETERANS REST ON SEVENTH DAY: Trembley has made it a point to rest some of his veterans in day games following night games — and Sunday was no different.
Catcher Ramon Hernandez, left fielder Luke Scott and shortstop Juan Castro each got Sunday off.
Castro’s absence was concerning because he left Saturday’s game with a slightly strained groin.
When asked Sunday morning if he expected to miss any further time, Castro said: “I hope not. Today it feels better, so hopefully tomorrow it feels a lot better.”
