Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo said if anyone would pull the trigger on getting shortstop Miguel Tejada some rest in the field, it wouldn?t be the manager.
Perlozzo said before Sunday?s game with the Nationals, “there?s no use broaching that.”
Recommended Stories
“That?s Miggy?s call. When Miggy says he wants the day off, he?ll get the day off. He knows that if he ever wants to DH sometime that he can try and get to me a day or two before so I can maneuver the lineup and work it out for him, which I thought he might try to do.”
That hasn?t happened. Tejada started 1, 124th consecutive game Sunday. In a handful of games last season, Tejada was the designated hitter, but has played every game so far this season at shortstop.
The All-Star entered Sunday batting .308, but has two home runs on the season.
Perlozzo said hitting coach Terry Crowley has been working with Tejada, who had 34 home runs in 2004, 26 in 2005 and 24 in 2005.
The subject of Tejada?s diminishing power has been a hot topic in Baltimore recently. Tejada told reporters last week on a road trip that he was not a power hitter. Perlozzo seemed to think differently.
“I was at the batting cages yesterday [watching Tejada] and he was hitting the ball extremely well and hitting with power,” Perlozzo said. “I?m hoping that transfers to the ball games.”
BRIEF STARTS AT HALL OF FAME GAME: When the Orioles take the field for today?s Hall of Fame Game exhibition in Cooperstown against the Blue Jays, they won?t look much like the Baltimore Orioles.
Perlozzo indicated that he would use his starters today, albeit sparingly, with many of the Single-A Frederick Keys taking over early.
“They?ll all start,” Perlozzo said of his regulars. “They won?t play very long. I?m assuming that both clubs are putting their starting lineups out there and playing X amount of time.”
Top prospect Brandon Erbe will take the mound for the Orioles and Perlozzo said he was looking forward to seeing the right-hander.
“We?ll let him start,” Perlozzo said.
