Awaiting Bergesen's return - with links

Photo via www.baltimoresun.com

Brad Bergesen came up on April 14, and quickly began to win games pitch impressive quality starts which were not always taken advantage of by the Orioles. His 7-5 record is impressive for a rookie, but his performance is actually comparable to pitchers who are 10-4 on a winning team. The numbers are simple: 13 quality starts out of 19 games started. When he returns, he will be attempting to go for his eighth QS in a row, something that an Oriole has not done seemingly ever.

On July 30, Bergesen was wrapping up the 7th inning of a beautifully pitched win against the Royals when he was hit directly in the shin on a comebacker. He displayed the badass in him by dapping his catcher and hobbling into the dugout, absolutely refusing to be examined on the field by trainers. You don't see that all the time in 21st century baseball. He almost threw up from the pain and he called it the worst he's felt in his life.

The news the next day was all about "xrays negative but it could be a hairline fracture" , which it wasn't. He was put on the 15 day DL the day after the injury, with today (Saturday) being the 15th day. On Monday, we were treated to the good news that Bergesen shed his crutches and had begun throwing from the side. In the article, he estimated that he was "5 or 6 days away from returning" and also shed some insight about how pissed off he is.

It's terrible. The whole week was just miserable. Sitting around watching the games and not being able to be there was not a good feeling.

Well, today is the fifth day since then, and another article has emerged. This one, I warn, is NOT feel-good-happy-time.

Bergesen's Recovery has setback by Spencer Fordin

Although he is able to walk without much of a limp, and although he believes he can pitch through it, the team is taking a safer route, requiring all pain to be gone before he makes his next start. He has not gotten on the mound yet, and his knee hurts when he lands. The article says the last week of August is the best bet.

The longer it takes, the greater the chance that he'll be shut down. I'm at the point where I'm saying that if Bergesen says he can pitch through the pain, let him pitch through the pain. I believe him. Pitching through an injury could be a valuable learning experience. It's not his right arm that's hurt. I'm probably delusional. He needs his rest, he's only a rookie. I really miss that small little humping motion he gives before he pitches, reminding us all that Pimping ain't E-E-Easy.