To say the Orioles as a group have had a rough go here in the 2010 early going would be a bit of an understatement. After Wednesday's bloodbath at the hands of the Rays, the Orioles are now 1-8. Their most recognizable face, Brian Roberts, is already on the disabled list, too. Well, he's got company. Mike Gonzalez signed with the Orioles in the offseason and was expected to admirably handle closing duties for Baltimore. Instead, he got off to a rocky start (0-2, 18.00 ERA in two innings pitched) and was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with a strained left (throwing) shoulder.
Last season, for the Braves, Gonzalez worked 74 1/3 innings and put up a 2.42 ERA with 10 saves. He spent most of the season as a setup man.
With Gonzalez down, Jim Johnson is expected to be the primary closer -- in fact, the Orioles had said they were making a switch before Tuesday's game. Of course, Johnson blew a save chance that very night.




