Kam

Mickolio

Mickolio was recently granted his release by the Diamondbacks, so he is free to sign with any team. The 27-year-old right-hander has a 4.83 ERA and 33/17 K/BB ratio over 31 2/3 innings over parts of four major league seasons between Baltimore and Arizona.

Mickolio was acquired from the Orioles last December in the Mark Reynolds trade. The 27-year-old right-hander made a handful of appearances for the DIamondbacks this season, but spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Reno, posting a 4.97 ERA and 63/25 K/BB ratio over 58 innings.

The Diamondbacks announced the move on Monday. Mickolio, 27, has a 4.83 ERA and 33/17 K/BB ratio over 31 2/3 innings over parts of four major league seasons between Baltimore and Arizona.

There’s not going to be a whole lot of difference in quality between the Orioles’ major league pitching staff and the one they have at Norfolk. Mickolio and McCrory will be late-game relievers for the Tides. Mickolio had a 1.93 ERA this spring, while McCrory was at 2.25. Waters could be part of the rotation. Hennessey and Parrish might also factor into the mix once healthy. Both had arm problems this spring, costing them opportunities to make the Orioles.

Mickolio struggled early at Norfolk, but he hasn’t allowed an earned run in 18 of his last 21 appearances. In that time, he has a 1.08 ERA and 28 strikeouts. Mickolio was 0-1 with a 5.87 ERA in nine games with the Orioles last year.

As expected, Hernandez will make Monday’s start against the Yankees. He was optioned to the minors 10 days ago in a procedural move because the club didn’t need a fifth starter with the All-Star break looming. An official roster move to make room for Hernandez will be delayed by one day. Reliever Cla Meredith, acquired from the Padres, won’t join the team until Tuesday. Kam Mickolio is expected to be optioned down at that time.

The Orioles needed room on the roster for the newly-acquired Cla Meredith. Mickolio didn’t allow a run over three appearances, spanning 3 1/3 innings. Acquired in the Erik Bedard trade, expect to see the 24-year-old back before long.

Mickolio may well be the Orioles’ long-term closer, but he’s not ready just yet. Ideally, he’d be able to work his way into a setup role in August and September, putting him in better position entering 2010.

Mickolio returns after a two-week stint back in the minors, where he allowed three runs in six innings. He’ll be an upgrade over the erratic Matt Albers. If Mickolio can harness his command, he has the stuff to work his way into a setup role for the O’s by the end of the season. He didn’t allow a run in 4.2 innings in his earlier turn in the majors.

Mickolio is hoping to rejoin the club in New York this weekend, but it all depends on what is found in his tender right biceps muscle. The Baltimore Sun’s Peter Schmuck believes the right-handed reliever “will be shut down for precautionary reasons and won’t pitch again this season.” We’ll keep you updated.