By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Baltimore, MD

The Baltimore Orioles granted veteran Jamie Moyer's request for release, saying they will go with younger pitchers rather than keep the 49-year old lefty.

"We just decided as an organization we were going to go with the other pitchers that we have here," said Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette. "We also have some depth in starting pitching at Triple-A."

The Orioles signed Moyer to a minor league deal earlier in June on condition that he would have a three-start audition with Triple-A Norfolk.

Moyer played well during that stint, going 1-1 with a 1.69 ERA but he was overshadowed by performances of younger pitchers Chris Tillman and Zach Britton.

"All things considered with us, it felt like with some of the things going on with our organization's pitchers, without mentioning names, we feel like we have the potential to have some depth there. We feel like we have some options," manager Buck Showalter said.

"We tried to explain the timing of the two off-days to Jamie and his representative, but I understand Jamie's urgency as well," Duquette said. "He wants to win as many Major League games as he can."

Moyer underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow, causing him to miss the entire 2011 season. He made the Colorado Rockies' opening day roster this season.

He became the oldest pitcher in Major League history to win a game after beating the San Diego Padres on April 17.

After an outstanding month of April, Moyer lost three of four starts, giving up 13 runs and 16 hits over 8.2 innings in his last two games, forcing the Rockies to release him.

After an impressive month of April, Moyer lost three of his last four starts in May. In his last pair of outings, he gave up 13 runs on 16 hits over 8.2 innings.

Moyer has a 269-209 with a 4.25 ERA in parts of 25 big league seasons, having played for eight Major League teams. Showalter believes that several Major League teams could use Moyer's services

"I wouldn't be surprised to see him pitching for somebody shortly," Showalter said. "Personally, just out of respect for his career and the things he's done, I hope it happens."

 

Orioles Release 49-year-old Pitcher Jamie Moyer