The Orioles clubhouse was a little quieter and slightly less populated than most afternoons.
With Tuesday night?s news that Major League Baseball investigators have contacted the club to acquire the medical records of five former players, the current Orioles were understandably gun-shy when it came to the inquisitive media in the locker room.
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“I really don?t have anything to say,” Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo said. “We?re going about our business like we do any other day. Someone else can take care of that.”
No current Orioles were tied into the report, first made in New York Times, but former players Jason Grimsley, Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa, David Segui and Fernando Tatis were mentioned.
MARKAKIS OFF TODAY? With Jay Payton replacing Corey Patterson in center field last night, the question was raised ? why rest the left-handed hitting Patterson against a right-handed pitcher?
Perlozzo?s answer was simple ? Nick Markakis has struggled against tonight?s starter, Tampa Bay lefty Casey Fossum.
“It might be a good day to give Nick a day off,” Perlozzo said. “You just try to pick the right day, you can?t put them all on the bench [at the same time].”
Payton is comfortable in each of the three outfield positions ? essentially splitting playing time between each last year in Oakland.
“That?s one of the reasons we got Jay, so he can play center every once in a while,” Perlozzo said.
Payton played 51 games in left, 44 in center and 41 in right last season.
GETTING AHEAD: Right-handed submariner Chad Bradford, who allowed four hits and two runs in a one-inning appearance Tuesday, is struggling with his location ? particularly early in counts.
“I think Chad needs to go strike one, get ahead of the hitter right away,” Perlozzo said.
“He throws that underhand sinker, and lately its been getting up high, belt high on the hitters. Lately they?ve been seeing too many pitches. Part of his game is to get them out quick.”
Bradford, who leads the American League with 19 relief appearances, is 0-1 with a 3.29 ERA.
