So much for j.q. higgins' cause celebre; Alfredo Simon is headed to the disabled list with a hamstring injury. No word on how serious it is, he'll be re-evaluated today. Since returning to the team after his, um, extended absence, Simon has been pretty good out of the pen, striking out fifteen and walking only six in his first 14.1 innings.
According to the Baltimore Sun, Jason Berken will take the Saucy One's place in the bullpen. Berken was sent down to AAA Norfolk on May 20th after accumulating a miserable 7.94 ERA in 17 innings out of the pen. Berken has been used as a starter in Norfolk, pitching 16.1 innings and still walking a few too many batters. Like Simon, Berken will be the long man out of the pen. Hopefully he'll have better luck this time around, but color me pessimistic on account of his labrum tear.
Anyway, welcome back Berken. Good luck, Simon.