OAKLAND, Calif. – Feeling that they could no longer count on Jamie Walker to get left-handed hitters out, the Orioles will announce the release of the struggling reliever today despite still owing him approximately $3 million.
To take his place on the roster, the Orioles will select the contract of left-handed reliever Alberto Castillo, who has a 3.09 ERA in 24 appearances with Triple-A Norfolk this season, holding left-handed hitters to a .209 average. Castillo, 33, pitched in 28 games for the Orioles last year, compiling a 3.81 ERA. Left-handed hitters batted .256 against him with two home runs in 39 at-bats.
The news of this didn’t come to no surprise. Walker had a successful 10 year major league career, but lost his “stuff ” the last two seasons. I really liked Walker he was always respectful and seemed like a real nice guy. I wish him the best of luck and hope he gets a job with another team. Here is a little fact for you, walker started two games in his second season in bigs with the Royals. Now lets hope that Castillo will do a better job the remainder of the season getting out left handed hitters.
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