Jorge

Julio

It’s just a precaution. Julio reported no pain while throwing on Sunday, but the Orioles want to make sure there’s nothing wrong before they let him take the mound again.

Spoken like someone who hasn’t seen many Orioles games over the past couple of years. Still, Julio will probably be an adequate closer this year. Mazzilli also said yesterday that he expects Mike DeJean and B.J. Ryan to be the primary setup men.

Julio feels that he’s back at full strength now after being limited to 9 1/3 innings during the Venezuelan Winter League season. “I feel good right now and ready for spring training,” said Julio, who will report to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with the other pitchers on Feb. 20. “I’m throwing hard right now.” Although he’s coming off a shaky 2003 season, Julio’s job as Baltimore’s closer is secure. Since the even more mediocre Mike DeJean is his primary setup man, Julio should be safe to draft in fantasy leagues.

B.J. Ryan and Kerry Ligtenberg will be candidates to earn saves until Julio gets straightened out. It likely will happen before long.

Although it doesn’t neccessarly mean they are going to trade the 25-year-old righthander, if Baltimore can get a reliable starting pitcher in return, they will move Julio and install B.J.Ryan as their closer.

Fortunately, he had a two-run lead to work with. The save was Julio’s first since July 22. He blew his previous two chances and has now given up six runs in 2 1/3 innings over his last three appearances.

All of his outs came via the strikeout. Julio has surrendered seven runs in 4 1/3 innings over his last five appearances, but he has been successful in his last two save chances. The Diamondbacks won’t consider making a chance unless his struggles result in a couple of more losses.

It was his first clean inning in a save opportunity in five chances since July 22. Julio is 14-for-17 in save chances for the Diamondbacks.

Barry Bonds ended it with a groundout. Julio is 3-for-3 in save chance since being acquired. Jose Valverde is supposed to get a chance to reclaim his job, but it probably won’t happen this week.

Brandon Lyon gave up two runs in the eighth to tie the game and cost Claudio Vargas a victory. It looked like the Pirates would win it in the ninth, but after giving up back-to-back singles and an intentional walk to Jason Bay with no outs, Greg Aquino fanned Jeromy Burnitz, Freddy Sanchez and Jose Castillo to end the threat. Pinch-hitter Johnny Estrada singled in Orlando Hudson for the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th before Julio shut the door. It was Julio’s fourth save in four opportunities since joining Arizona.