Orioles' Injury/Bullpen Updates (Friday)

Lets start with Brian Roberts. Roberts has been shut down until Tuesday when he will be re-evaluated by doctors. He received an epidural today so obviously his pain pain has not subsided.

According to Juan Samuel, Alfredo Simon could return to the big league club next week while the team is on the West Coast.  Both Samuel and Kranitz would like to see him pitch so there's a chance Simon will join the team on the West Coast so the O's can take a better/closer look at him.

Mike Gonzalez threw one inning of simulcasted ball but threw just seven pitches. His velocity, which has been an issue, increased from 85 to 87 MPH.

When Simon returns to the club, Samuel will have options in terms of who will close, but most likely Simon will replace Hernandez, even though Hernandez showed great poise in Thursday night's win over the Yankees where he earned his first Major League save by retiring three of the four batters in the ninth.

Brad Bergesen remains in the bullpen, for now. He has not pitched in five days so the O's are hoping to get him some work soon.