Opening Day roster update to follow up last week's entry:
The Orioles gave Erik Bedard the fifth spot in the rotation, although he will start the season in the minors and be called up April 10 to make his first start. At that point, Rick Bauer probably will be optioned to Ottawa if the Orioles continue to keep eleven pitchers.
The season-opening bench will consist of five players: Keith Osik, Luis López, José Bautista, Jack Cust, and B.J. Surhoff.
Mark McLemore was released because the Orioles could not guarantee he would be placed on the major-league roster when he recovered from his injury. Omar Daal was put on the 60-day DL, and Jerry Hairston joins Marty Cordova on the 15-day DL. To make room on the 40-man roster, John Stephens was designated for assignment; his future with the organization is uncertain as of this writing.
From MLB.com: "Roster finalized with surprises"