BALTIMORE (AP) -When Steve Trachsel signed as a free agent in February, no one could have imagined how important the 36-year-old would be to the Baltimore Orioles starting rotation.
With Kris Benson (rotator cuff), Adam Loewen (elbow) and Jaret Wright (shoulder) on the disabled list, the Orioles have come to depend on Trachsel for quality starts.
The right-hander has not disappointed.
Trachsel owns the lowest ERA (3.70) among the five starters in the current rotation and has held the opposition to a .234 batting average. His record is 1-3, but it’s not all his fault – despite allowing a total of four earned runs over 13 innings in his last two starts, Trachsel received a loss and a no-decision.
“I’ve pitched this way for 14 years. It’s not like I’m doing anything different than what I’ve done in the past,” he said. “I’ve battled, given the team a chance to win for the most part. As long as I can continue playing, that’s what I plan on doing. When I’m not able to do that, I’ll go home.”
The Orioles hope he won’t be going anywhere soon, because Benson is out for the season, Loewen won’t be back before August and it’s anyone’s guess how soon – if at all – Wright will return.
Trachsel knows the Orioles are depending on him, but that won’t alter his approach.
“All I can do is control what I’m able to control,” he said. “Apart from that, there’s nothing I can do. Obviously it’s disappointing to lose guys like we’re losing them, but as far as what goes on the field when I’m out there, nothing really changes.”
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