Baltimore placed David Segui on the DL yesterday due to an injured left wrist. Segui left the Orioles' April 25th game in Kansas City after reportedly jamming the wrist against Brent Mayne's shin guard. Several tests were performed following the incident, after which Baltimore announced that Segui had bruised tendons and ligaments in his wrist.

Segui disagreed with the Orioles' statements, saying that the tendon was in fact torn not merely bruised. Nevertheless, he returned to the lineup after a few days rest. However, the wrist continued to bother him, and after three days of ineffectiveness, he was once again sidelined. The pattern continued with Segui missing several days and then returning to the lineup for a day or two, until Wednesday when he decided to pursue a second opinion.

A Thursday MRI confirmed Segui's belief that he had torn a tendon, as well as its surrounding sheath and cartilage. The pain he felt throughout the wrist following the injury was evidently intensified by fluid leaking from the torn tissue. He's now scheduled to have surgery to repair the damage on May 21st. Patients normally take 10-12 weeks to recover from the injury and operation, so Segui isn't expected back until August.

Gary Matthews should see the greatest immediate increase in playing time as a result of Segui's injury. Conine will continue to cover first base the majority of the time, while Jay Gibbons and Marty Cordova will likely split time between the outfield and DH slot, freeing up more at-bats in the outfield for Matthews and Chris Singleton to share. Melvin Mora should continue to play virtually full-time while shifting between several positions. However long-term Segui's injury will likely benefit Chris Richard when he returns from the DL sometime around the All-Star break.

Baltimore called up Ryan McGuire to replace Segui on the roster. The 30-year-old AAAA OF/1B has demonstrated very good plate discipline in the minors, though his strike zone judgment normally deteriorates somewhat when he's promoted, and he has neither power nor speed to compliment his eye. He'll serve as an extra outfielder for the Orioles but likely won't see much playing time unless he gets very hot or the team suffers additional injuries.

The Orioles demoted Josh Towers at the beginning of May in order to call up C Izzy Molina. Baltimore sent Towers to the bullpen after he allowed 26 H, including 8 HR, in 19.1 IP with a 6:4 K:BB over his first three starts of the season. He made two long-relief appearances before he was demoted, allowing 16 H, including 3 more home runs, in 8 IP, though with a 7:1 K:BB.

Towers posted good numbers in the minors, though his HR/9 was borderline even then. However once promoted to the majors, his success at striking batters out as a control pitcher dwindled and the balls flew out of the park at an increased rate. He'll likely receive additional opportunities based on his AAA success, but if he can't find a way to keep the ball on the ground, I'm not certain the 25-year-old will be able keep a spot on a major league roster.

Baltimore called up Molina, a 30-year-old AAAA catcher, in anticipation of placing Geronimo Gil on the DL. However when Gil avoided a trip to the DL despite a sore groin and hamstring, the Orioles called up Luis Garcia and demoted Molina. Garcia signed a minor league contract with Baltimore this off-season after spending the last three years in the Mexican League on loan from the Devil Rays. He offers both a moderate amount of speed and power, though his plate discipline could use improvement. Garcia broke camp with the club but was demoted when the Orioles activated Marty Cordova from the DL. He'll compete for limited time in the outfield.

The Orioles signed Alex Arias to a minor league contract at the end of April. Seattle acquired Arias from San Diego with C Ben Davis and Wascar Serrano for SS Ramon Vazquez, RHP Bret Tomko, and C Tom Lampkin over the off-season. However, the Mariners released Arias at the end of Spring Training, preferring to keep Rule 5 pick Luis Ugueto. The 34-year-old has been in the majors since the Cubs brought him up in 1992. He possesses good plate discipline, though no real speed or power. Arias can adequately defend second, third, and shortstop, making him a quality infield utility option. Unfortunately for Arias, the Orioles don't have an opening at the major league level for his services and aren't likely to this season.

Another small trade was completed on Friday. Kansas City sent RHP Bryan Rekar to Colorado for RHP Eduardo Villacis. The 29-year-old Rekar signed a minor league contract with the Royals this off-season after he the Devil Rays released him. Colorado originally drafted Rekar out of Bradley University in the 2nd round of the 1993 draft, but lost him to Tampa Bay in the 1997 expansion draft.

Rekar has spent portions of the last seven seasons in the majors working both as a starter and a reliever. He has fairly good control, though his strikeouts are low. Unfortunately, his career 1.35 HR/9 will not serve him well in Coors or at AAA Colorado Springs. He'll likely just sit at AAA unless someone on the Colorado pitching staff goes down with an injury.

The Rockies signed Villacis out of Venezuela in 1998. The 22-year-old spent the last four seasons bouncing between Rookie and A-ball, as well as between rotation and relief work. His stats all indicate promise, but his lack of advancement and constant movement from the rotation to the pen reduce his long-term upside.

I have no idea why Colorado made this trade; Rekar has little to no value to them while Villacis shows some potential. Kansas City on the other hand likely didn't need Rekar with all of their other starting options, so Allard Baird did well to pick up a prospect.