Dennis

Sarfate

With Derrick Turnbow and Seth McClung around, the Brewers figured they had enough hard-throwing right-handers with poor control. Sarfate, 26, had a 4.52 ERA and a 68/47 K/BB ratio in 61 2/3 innings for Triple-A Nashville. He hasn’t made enough progress with his command to give much room for hope that he’ll make it as a setup man. The Astros will add him to the active roster and use him in middle relief.

Sarfate, who was acquired from Milwaukee on Sept. 11, has allowed just two hits, walked one and struck out 11 in seven scoreless innings for Houston. There’s little doubt that he’ll last on the 40-man roster this winter. Still, his usual lack of command makes him a mediocre bet going forward.

“There’s interest in him,” general manager Doug Melvin said. “I talked to a couple of teams today. There’s a chance of doing a deal.” Sarfate battled control issues this season at Triple-A Nashville, but he has a good arm and could eventually earn a role in a major league bullpen.

Sarfate has allowed four hits, walked none and struck out seven in three innings in Mexico. After a successful September for Houston, he appears likely to claim a spot in the Astros’ bullpen next spring.

Five players for Tejada? It’s an interesting group, but the only particularly valuable property is Patton, a left-hander whose stock has dropped a bit over the last year. He projects as a third or fourth starter, though he’s not ready yet. Scott should start over Jay Payton in left field, at least against righties, but he may not be more than a one- or two-year solution. Albers has fourth-starter potential, but he belongs in the pen right now, as he’s primarily a two-pitch pitcher. Sarfate, a waiver claim from the Brewers, emerged as a viable late-game relief candidate at the end of last season. However, he has a long history of command problems. Costanzo was the strikeout-prone third base prospect the Astros picked up from the Phillies in the Brad Lidge deal. Overall, we’d say the Orioles got back about what they should have. That said, they’d be fortunate if more than one player from this group was a key player next time they’re in a position to win 85-90 games.

Sarfate caught fire after being claimed off waivers from the Brewers in August, striking out 14 while allowing one run in 8 1/3 innings for the Astros. He failed as a starting pitcher because of poor command, and the Brewers didn’t think he’d make it as a reliever, either. The stuff is there for him to become a setup man or even a closer for Baltimore, but he could as easily have an ERA over 6.00 as one under 3.50.

According to the Baltimore Sun, George Sherrill is the clear front-runner, but if he struggles or decides he doesn’t want the job, it will likely go to Greg Aquino or Dennis Sarfate. The Sun was also hyping Aquino before Sherrill’s acquisition, but he shouldn’t even be considered a lock to make the team.

Taking care of some non-arbitration eligibles. Sarfate, Bynum and Moore all figure to have roster spots to begin the season. Johnson would be right up there as far as candidates to be bumped from the 40-man roster in case of additional decisions. McCrory will be a long shot for a bullpen spot out of spring training, but he should get a long look at some point before the year is out.

Orioles manager Dave Trembley said Sarfate was told to rest for a week and refrain from throwing for a month. The good news is the condition isn’t supposed to be career or life-threatening.

Sarfate has been throwing from 60 feet but hopes to increase to 90 feet next week and then start throwing off the mound. Sarfate said: “I feel 100 times better.”