Cory

Doyne

Talk about awful roster management. Doyne was added to the 40-man roster on Saturday so that he could make one appearance out of the Baltimore pen. The Orioles sudden philosophy change will cost him an opportunity to establish himself.

Doyne gave up hits to five straight batters Saturday, so his demotion comes as no surprise.

Doyne got to make one appearance for the Orioles last month before Sam Perlozzo’s firing started the chain reaction that got him sent back to the minors. He deserves a real look this time. In fact, he might be as good of a choice to close as there is in the pen. Keep an eye on him.

Doyne, whom the Cardinals opted to add to their 40-man roster after last season, had a 1.99 ERA and 19 saves as Norfolk’s closer. If he throws strikes, his fastball-slider combination should make him an asset in middle relief.

It’s incredible that interim manager Dave Trembley let him stay in as long as he did. Doyne has failed to impress in three appearances since being recalled and might switch places with James Hoey soon.

Doyne, 26, did a terrific job as Triple-A Norfolk’s closer last season, and the Orioles gave him a couple of brief looks in the majors, only to seemingly give up on him after one ugly appearance against the Yankees. His stuff is unremarkable, but he shouldn’t clear waivers when he could prove to be useful in middle relief.

The two were Baltimore’s only non-tenders on Wednesday.

It was the shoulder injury that caused the Orioles to drop him from their 40-man roster in December. He may be a factor in the middle of their bullpen by midseason.

Doyne spent the season working his way back from rotator cuff surgery and ended up with a 3.43 ERA in 21 innings at four levels in the minors. He’s a minor league free agent now, but he could stay with the Orioles and contend for a spot in their pen next year.

Doyne, who missed most of 2008 after rotator cuff surgery, has worked 7 2/3 scoreless innings so far. Now that he’s seemingly healthy again, there should be a lot of demand for his services as a minor league free agent this winter. He could be a perfectly adequate middle reliever for the major league minimum.