Uehara gets into the Bullpen

Monday, June 1, 2009 -- It was a big day for Koji Uehara as he threw a few pitches on Sunday after being placed on the disabled list on June 10th. In a bullpen session, the first since the game against Washington where he strained his hamstring, Uehara will throw pitches off the mound once, before taking the field against the Seattle Mariners on a road trip starting Monday.

The hamstring has been a constant issue for Uehara and after four days of rest, the Baltimore-born Japanese player has spent time getting accustomed to pitching again. Signing for the Orioles in January, Uehara was a middle reliever and although he just pitched 89 innings last year for the Yomiuri Giants, he has gone a considerable distance this season, already, with 50.2 innings.

According to his manager Dave Trembly, this stint on the disabled list will prove helpful, "We're trying to do everything we can to make sure he can pitch in August and September," Trembley said. "If you look at the amount of innings he threw last year and what he's thrown this year, it's almost equal already. We have to be very smart about it."

The rotation will change when Uehara makes his return to the roster however Trembly is in no hurry to rush into a decision and is prepared to wait and watch how things go. "We've got time," the manager said. "Let's watch, evaluate, then when Koji is ready we'll make a decision."