News: The Rays released LHP Kurt Birkins, who was pitching for Triple-A Durham.
Analysis: Birkins has not been with the Rays since May and might find a job with another team, but is not worth owning in Fantasy. He is nothing more than a risky Fantasy middle reliever when active.
News: The Tampa Tribune reports that following Sunday's game against the Angels, the Rays activated Gary Glover (right shoulder tendinitis) off the 15-day DL and optioned Kurt Birkins back to Triple-A Durham.
Analysis: Glover is a decent middle reliever, but his role limits his Fantasy appeal. Birkins was picked up on waivers from Baltimore this spring and he should be released from your team as well.
News: Add Al Reyes to the list of injured Tampa Bay Rays. The 38-year-old reliever landed on the disabled list Wednesday with an impinged right shoulder and Kurt Birkins, out since March 21 with an injured left elbow neuritis, was activated to replace him. "Al was in that tweener state where we thought it was going to kind of mess us up if we don't do something," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "We really expect that Al is going to be well. But he's just not right right now so we chose to do this."
Analysis: Birkins threw two innings in an extended spring training game on Monday. He was picked up on waivers from Baltimore this spring and is 6-4 with a 6.61 ERA in two seasons in the majors. He mostly works as a situational lefty and should work in the same role for Tampa. However, he is still nothing more than an AL-only Fantasy middle reliever.
News: Rays RP Kurt Birkins, on the 15-day DL with a left elbow injury, threw two innings in an extended spring training game Monday.
Analysis: Birking had logged 65 1/3 innings as a reliever for the Orioles the last two seasons. He mostly works as a situational lefty and should work in the same role for Tampa when healthy. However, he is still nothing more than an AL-only Fantasy middle reliever.
News: Rays RP Kurt Birkins, on the 15-day DL with a left elbow injury, threw 45 pitches in his second batting practice session tUESDAY. He might pitch in an extended spring game late during the week of April 7-13.
Analysis: Birking had logged 65 1/3 innings as a reliever for the Orioles the last two seasons. He mostly works as a situational lefty and should work in the same role for Tampa when healthy. However, he is still nothing more than an AL-only Fantasy middle reliever.
News: Right-hander Grant Balfour was designated for assignment and fellow relievers Kurt Birkins and Chad Orvella were placed on the 15-day disabled list when the Tampa Bay Rays made their final cuts of spring training on Saturday.
Analysis: Left-hander Birkins (left elbow neuritis) and right-hander Orvella (right shoulder tendinitis) were placed on the DL retroactive to March 21. None of these three pitchers are worth using in Fantasy play.
News: MLB.com reports Rays manager Joe Maddon said Monday that relief pitchers Chad Orvella and Kurt Birkins will likely open the season on the DL. Orvella has struggled with shoulder problems this spring, and Birkins has been bothered by pain in his left elbow. Neither pitcher was expected to break camp with the team.
Analysis: Birking has logged 65 1/3 innings as a reliever for the Orioles the last two seasons. He mostly works as a situational lefty and should work in the same role for Tampa when healthy. However, he is still nothing more than an AL-only Fantasy middle reliever.
News: According to the St. Petersburg Times, Rays LHP Kurt Birkins left Saturday's game at the Braves in the eighth inning with stiffness in his left elbow. He did not record an out, allowing two runs on one hit and one walk. A Tommy John test proved negative, though, meaning the injury is likely nerve-related.
Analysis: Pitching coach Jim Hickey said he "wasn't really concerned right now." Fantasy owners shouldn't be either, especially since Birkins is a fringe major-league middle reliever. Let him go undrafted in Fantasy.
News: The Devil Rays claimed left-hander Kurt Birkins off waivers from the Orioles and designated catcher Raul Casanova for assignment Monday. Casanova, 35, hit .253 with six homers and 11 RBI in 29 games last season.
Analysis: Birkins split last season between the Orioles and Triple-A Norfolk, starting two of 19 games he appeared in for Baltimore. The 27-year-old was 1-2 with an 8.13 ERA and made his first major league start at Tropicana Field on Sept. 3. It is likely he is nothing more than a bullpen arm and a candidate for spot starts with the Devil Rays in 2008, making him someone to ignore on Draft Day.
News: RHP Victor Zambrano, who worked four scoreless innings out of the bullpen in his Baltimore debut Saturday, will start the opener of a four-game series at Texas on Thursday in place of left-hander Kurt Birkins.
Analysis: Birkins is nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of AL-only leagues that use true middle men at this point.
News: It was a miserable afternoon Saturday at Toronto for Orioles starter Kurt Birkins, who didn't retire any of the six batters he faced. "I couldn't hit a spot," Birkins said. "It was either a ball or right down the middle with every one of my pitches. A lineup like this, they're not going to let those pitches go and when they hit it, it's going to go far." Making just his second major league start, Birkins (1-2) gave up back-to-back singles to Vernon Wells and Reed Johnson before Alex Rios hit a two-run double. Thomas followed with a two-run homer, Aaron Hill singled and Matt Stairs doubled to right, sending Hill to third.
Analysis: Clearly, using a pitcher that can't get anybody out is a bad idea at this stage of the Fantasy season. The Orioles have gone into offseason mode and we don't recommend using anybody of Birkins' low caliber making starts for them the rest of the way.
News: Orioles SP Kurt Birkins will start Saturday in place of Victor Zambrano because the Orioles want Zambrano to available out of the bullpen. Entering play Friday, Baltimore starters had pitched more than five innings just once in the team's past eight games.
Analysis: Birkins made his first start Sept. 3 and allowed four runs and six hits over four innings at Tampa Bay. He has virtually no appeal in Fantasy leagues.
News: Baltimore's Kurt Birkins allowed four runs and six hits over four innings Monday at Tampa Bay in his first major league start. The left-hander made 45 relief appearances during the past two seasons. Birkins struck out three and walked two and did not factor in the final decision.
Analysis: Birkins is replacing Steve Trachsel in the rotation -- at least for now. A two-start week could be possible, with a Saturday start against Boston at Camden Yards. He's not a very appealing Fantasy option at the moment.
News:The Sports Xchange notes: LHP Kurt Birkins, a starter in the minor leagues but used exclusively in relief by the Orioles, will get his first major league start at Tampa Bay on Monday and was so thrilled to get the news on Sunday that he said, "It's something I've always dreamed about.
Analysis: Consider picking Birkins up in larger AL-only leagues for this start. He's replacing Steve Trachsel in the rotation -- at least for now. If he does well, a two-start week could be possible, with a Saturday start against Boston at Camden Yards.
News: Tuesday night's damage came against Orioles relievers Jim Hoey (one out, five runs allowed), Brian Burres (no outs, three runs) and Chad Bradford (one out, three runs). Kurt Birkins got the final out. Burres yielded eight runs Wednesday in Baltimore's 30-3 loss to Texas. The Orioles' bullpen surrendered 24 runs in that game and has yielded 46 runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings during the seven-game skid.
Analysis: Hoey, who actually has some measure of long-term potential, and the "Worker B's" (Burres, Bradford and Birkins) are nothing more than low-end middle relievers for the deepest of AL-only leagues that use true middle men.
News: The Orioles recalled LHP Kurt Birkins from Triple-A Norfolk and designated Paul Shuey for assignment. They have 10 days to trade, release or outright him to the minor leagues.
Analysis: Birkins is nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of AL-only leagues that use true middle men.
News: Garrett Olson won't be auditioning for a job anymore. Barring injury, he's now a part of the Baltimore Orioles rotation until the end of the season. The Orioles recalled Olson from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday and named him the starter in Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox. The left-hander will remain in the rotation as a replacement for Brian Burres, who heads to the bullpen. To open a roster spot for Olson, the Orioles sent left-handed reliever Kurt Birkins to Norfolk.
Analysis: Birkins is nothing more than an AL-only Fantasy middle reliever when in the majors. Ignore him while he is in the minors.
News: Baltimore recalled left-handed RP Kurt Birkins from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned reliever Cory Doyne to the International League club on Friday. Orioles manager Dave Trembley said Birkins will pitch in relief.
Analysis: Birkins is 0-1 with a 10.00 ERA in three stints with Baltimore this season. Birkins is nothing more than an AL-only Fantasy middle reliever while up in the majors.
News: RP Danys Baez was activated from the 15-day disabled list Thursday, eager to rebound from a poor start in his first season with the Baltimore Orioles. Baez signed a $19 million, three-year contract during the offseason and was given the role of setup man. But he lost the job in late May after a series of ineffective outings, and was placed on the disabled list on June 16 with a strained right forearm. To make room for Baez, the Orioles sent left-hander Kurt Birkins to Triple-A Norfolk.
Analysis: Birkins is 0-1 with a 10.00 ERA in three stints with Baltimore this season. Birkins will be used as a starter at Norfolk. Birkins is nothing more than an AL-only Fantasy middle reliever while up in the majors.
News: Orioles SP Steve Trachsel was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, less than 24 hours after he struggled in his shortest outing in four years. Trachsel has a strained muscle below his lower back. RP Kurt Birkins was called up from Triple-A Norfolk to replace Trachsel on the roster. Birkins will pitch long relief.
Analysis: Birkins is nothing more than an AL-only Fantasy middle reliever while up in the majors.
News: Jon Leicester became the latest addition to the ever-changing pitching staff of the Baltimore Orioles, joining the bullpen Monday as a long man in place of Kurt Birkins. Birkins pitched three innings Sunday, and he was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Leicester's contract was purchased from Triple-A Norfolk, and the Orioles transferred left-hander Adam Loewen from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL.
Analysis: Baltimore added right-hander Todd Williams to the bullpen on Friday, and turned to Birkins is nothing more than a middle reliever for the Orioles and the deepest of AL-only leagues that use true middle men anyway. Ignore him in most formats.
News: The Orioles placed RHP Jaret Wright on the 15-day DL on Monday with a recurrence of right shoulder soreness. They recalled LHP Kurt Birkins from Triple-A Norfolk to take his place on the roster. Jeremy Guthrie will likely take Wright's rotation spot, but a Thursday day off makes it possible Guthrie won't have to start until next week. The No. 5 spot can be skipped.
Analysis: Birkins is nothing more than a middle reliever for the Orioles and the deepest of AL-only leagues that use true middle men.
News: The Orioles optioned LHP Kurt Birkins to Triple-A Norfolk.
Analysis: Birkins went from a potential start Sunday to the minor leagues. Ignore him in all Fantasy leagues until it looks like he might return in a spot-start capacity with the Orioles.
News: RHP Jaret Wright was to have his right shoulder examined Wednesday. He left Tuesday's game with stiffness in the shoulder, and one day later declared, "It only hurts when I throw." If Wright can't start Sunday against Kansas City, long relievers Jeremy Guthrie and Kurt Birkins are the leading candidates to fill the void. Guthrie allowed one run in three innings Tuesday. Prospect Hayden Penn would be the longer term rotation option if Wright needs to hit the DL.
Analysis: Birkins and Guthrie are slightly intriguing middle relievers in deeper formats for their potential to get spot starts at this point. Penn is a prospect flier to take in larger leagues for his potential to stick around once he arrives. He has good stuff.
News: Catcher Ramon Hernandez was put on the 15-day DL on Sunday by the Orioles because of a strained left oblique, and left-hander Kurt Birkins was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Hernandez was scratched from last Monday's opener, and the DL move was made retroactive to March 31, one day after his last spring training game.
Analysis: Hernandez will be out until at least April 14, so keep him reserved in all leagues for Fantasy Week 2 (April 9-15). He should be fine for the following week, though. Birkins is nothing more than a middle reliever for the deepest of AL-only leagues.
News: The Orioles optioned RHP Hayden Penn, RHP Sendy Rleal, LHP Kurt Birkins and SS Brandon Fahey to Triple-A Norfolk. Also, they reassigned and RHP Rob Bell and RHP Jon Leicester to minor-league camp.
Analysis: Penn is the O's best pitching prospect and he could take a rotation spot in the big club early in 2007. Consider him a minor-league stashee in all deeper leagues you can afford to. He has good stuff. The other pitchers are nothing more than low-end middle relievers if they return. Fahey is a utility man, but not much of a hitter or a prospect and can be ignored at this point.
News: The Baltimore Sun reports Orioles RP John Parrish and Kurt Birkins will have trouble making the roster because of inning limitations. O's manager Sam Perlozzo doesn't know if he can afford to carry more than one left-hander in his bullpen. "We just need to figure out whether we can survive without a guy who can't give you more than three or four innings," Perlozzo said. "I'm not sure that can happen unless early on we decided to go with a four-man [rotation], skip somebody for the first go-around and maybe the first two weeks we could take a look at it and then revisit it after that."
Analysis: Consider the lefties nothing more than middle relievers for the deepest of AL-only leagues that use true middle men, if they even makes the team.
News: Orioles RP Kurt Birkins (elbow) pitched in Sunday's spring game against the Mets. He went one inning, allowing just one walk. He struck out two batters and picked up the save.
Analysis: Birkins could find his way onto the roster as a middle reliever this season and that goes the same for his Fantasy value -- a middle reliever in AL-only leagues.
News: The Orioles reached one-year agreements with four players: outfielders Nick Markakis and Adam Stern, and pitchers Kurt Birkins and Ryan Keefer.
Analysis: Markakis is coming off a huge second half and is a big-time sophomore sleeper in the middle rounds on Draft Day. Stern projects to be nothing more than a reserve outfielder, while Birkins is a middle reliever for the deepest of AL-only leagues. Ignore Keefer entirely.
News: The Baltimore Orioles fortified their bullpen by finalizing deals Tuesday with left-handers Jamie Walker and John Parrish. Walker, who reached a preliminary agreement last week on a three-year deal, passed his physical and will get $3 million next year and $4.5 million in each of the following two seasons. "We have targeted the bullpen as an area that we want to improve and we certainly believe we've begun that process with the addition of Jamie Walker," Orioles executive vice president Mike Flanagan said. The 35-year-old Walker was 0-1 with a 2.81 ERA in 56 games with the AL champion Detroit Tigers this year. He walked only eight batters in 48 innings.
Analysis: Walker will be used in the back end of a bullpen that this season had little left-handed help beyond Tim Byrdak and rookies Kurt Birkins and Brian Burres. "Jamie Walker is one of the premier lefties in baseball," Duquette said. "We will count on him to not only get out left-handers, but right-handers as well." The left-handed Walker has been a reliable pitcher out of Detroit's bullpen since 2002, making an average of 65 appearances. He is 15-16 with a 3.95 ERA, 244 strikeouts and 82 walks over his seven-year career. As a lefty reliever his Fantasy value is limited, but is a potential Rotisserie contributor in the ERA and WHIP categories for deeper leagues that use true middle men.
News: The Orioles activated LHP Kurt Birkins (elbow), LHP John Parrish (elbow) and RHP Aaron Rakers (shoulder) from the 60-day DL.
Analysis: Birkins, Parrish and Rakers is nothing more than middle relievers for 2007. Birkins and Rakers are solid talents, but their value is limited by their projected roles at this point.
News: The Orioles purchased the contract of C Raul Chavez from Double-A Bowie on Monday and transferred LHP Kurt Birkins (elbow) from the 15-day to the 60-day DL.
Analysis: Birkins is nothing more than a lefty middle reliever once he returns in 2007. Chavez is nothing more than a defensive replacement.
News: LHP Kurt Birkins (elbow) will be activated from the 15-day disabled list when rosters can expand on Sept. 1, Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo said.
Analysis: Birkins is nothing more than a middle reliever for deeper AL-only leagues when healthy. You can ignore him right now.
News: LHP Kurt Birkins (sore elbow) pitched an inning Tuesday in a rehab stint with Aberdeen of the New York-Penn League and reported no pain.
Analysis: Birkins is nothing more than a middle reliever for deeper AL-only leagues when healthy. You can ignore him right now.
News: The Orioles placed LHP Kurt Birkins on the 15-day DL, retroactive July 30 and recalled RHP Julio Manon from Triple-A Ottawa of the IL.
Analysis: Birkins was nothing more than a middle reliever for deeper AL-only leagues when healthy. You can ignore him right now.
News: LHP Kurt Birkins earned his fifth victory Monday, fourth-most on the team and tops among relievers. "I don't know where we'd be without him, quite honestly," manager Sam Perlozzo said.
Analysis: Birkins has been a solid middle reliever for deeper AL-only leagues. The young lefty can remain solid here on out for you. He is now serving an important role in the O's bullpen.
News: After Rodrigo Lopez left Sunday, Kurt Birkins retired all four batters he faced and Todd Williams worked a perfect eighth before Chris Ray got three consecutive outs.
Analysis: Birkins has been a solid middle reliever for deeper AL-only leagues. The young lefty can remain solid here on out for you. He now is serving an important role in the O's bullpen.
News: Kurt Birkins, a rookie in his first stint in the major leagues, has pitched 22 innings in 20 appearances and has a 1.23 ERA for the Baltimore Orioles.
Analysis: Birkins doesn't see much work for the Orioles, but he does warrant some consideration in AL Rotisserie formats.
News: Kirt Birkins has pitched just 7 1/3 innings of relief in June. He's posted a 2.45 ERA during the month.
Analysis: While Birkins is pitching well in relief, the rookie should only be considered as a middle reliever in deepest of AL-only play for ERA and WHIP help.
News: LHP Kurt Birkins has not allowed a run in his last eight outings, dropping his ERA to 0.51 in 13 games.
Analysis: Birkins is pitching well in relief and the rookie should be considered a solid starter as a middle reliever in AL-only play for ERA and WHIP help.
News: Rookie Kurt Birkins (1-0) recorded his first major league victory at the Angels Sunday, retiring all four batters he faced in relief of starter Kris Benson. The win snapped the Angels' season-high four-game winning streak.
Analysis: Birkins is pitching well in relief, with just an 0.64 ERA and 10 K in 14 innings. Consider starting the rookie as a middle reliever in AL-only play for ERA and WHIP help.
News: Rookie LHP Kurt Birkins pitched four hitless innings in relief of Kris Benson on Wednesday. He walked two and struck out two.
Analysis: Birkins, who now has a microscopic 0.71 ERA, is a solid middle reliever for deeper AL-only Rotisserie leagues at this point.
News: The Orioles recalled LHP Kurt Birkins and RHP Julio Manon from Triple-A Ottawa on Tuesday.
Analysis: These guys are nothing more than low-end rookie middle relievers for the deepest of AL-only Rotisserie leagues at this point. They're not top prospects, so ignore them.
