BALTIMORE — Desperate to rejuvenate a team drained by losing, the Orioles fired manager Dave Trembley on Friday.
The Orioles (15-40) own the worst record in the major leagues. Third-base coach Juan Samuel was appointed interim manager by president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail.
“What you’re hoping to accomplish when you make a change like this is, you’re hoping to ignite a spark, give everybody a clean slate,” MacPhail said. “Sort of get out of that drumbeat of what’s going to happen day to day.”
Apparently the move created little immediate spark, as the Orioles lost 11-0 to the Red Sox on Friday night — their ninth consecutive loss.
Trembley went 187-283 with the Orioles.
Sizemore out for season
CLEVELAND — Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore will miss the remainder of this season after having microfracture surgery on his left knee.
Sizemore underwent a 90-minute operation in Vail, where Dr. Richard Steadman found unstable cartilage in the knee.
Having discussed the options before the operation, Sizemore preferred the micro- fracture surgery, which involves small holes being drilled into the kneecap to stimulate cartilage growth, as opposed to facing more future procedures.
The Indians said Sizemore, who injured his knee diving back to a base in April and re-injured it sliding May 16 at Baltimore, will need six to nine months to recover. Providing there are no setbacks, he is expected to participate in exhibition games next March. Trevor Crowe has taken Sizemore’s spot in center, and the Indians are likely to recall Michael Brantley from Triple-A Columbus.
Footnotes.
The Braves placed reliever Takashi Saito on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring and recalled reliever Craig Kimbrel from Triple-A Gwinnett.
• Second baseman Luis Castillo (heel) was placed on the DL by the Mets, who also cut slumping backup outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. and recalled 20-year-old Ruben Tejada from Triple-A Buffalo.
• The Giants purchased Pat Burrell’s contract from Triple-A Fresno, three weeks after the outfielder was released by Tampa Bay.
• Athletics left-hander Brett Anderson (elbow) was placed on the 15-day DL, and catcher Landon Powell was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.
• Mariners right-hander Doug Fister, second in the AL in ERA, will miss his scheduled start today against the Angels because of tightness and fatigue in his shoulder. Left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith (0-4, 7.24 ERA) will start.
