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Baltimore Orioles: Now in bullpen, what’s next for Ubaldo Jimenez?

By Adrian Andrew

May 22, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez (31) reacts as he is about to be removed from the game in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez (31) reacts as he is about to be removed from the game in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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For the second straight season, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez has lost his spot in the starting rotation as he finishes out the last season of his four-year contract.

Last week, struggling Baltimore Orioles pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez was sent to the bullpen. What does this mean for Jimenez’s future, and how he will perform?

Recently Eduardo Encina of The Baltimore Sun tweeted out that O’s pitcher Jimenez is working out of the bullpen. Jimenez has been struggling, but this could very well be one of the best possible things for him.

How Will This Effect Orioles’ Jimenez?

Last year Jimenez was also sent to the bullpen. Jimenez’s numbers went on a great incline during this time. This is true as he had one of his best months in that year in which he pitched in the bullpen.

Also, this made Jimenez more efficient starting pitcher, because Jimenez had an ERA of 5.44 in 2016. But, in the month that he came back from the bullpen, Jimenez’s ERA was only 2.31! The Orioles are most likely going to try to bring him back to the rotation like last year and hope for improvements.

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It is also important to note that Jimenez looks very comfortable pitching from the bullpen. In Jimenez’s first game in the bullpen this year he went six innings and allowed two runs. This is superb compared to his awful numbers this year while starting.

What’s next for Jimenez?

As mentioned earlier Jimenez has been awful. Especially terrible this year in the last year of his four-year 50 million dollar contract. In Jiminez’s four years with the O’s, he has not been the guy that general manager Dan Duquette wanted. So, Jimenez getting sent to the bullpen could show that the Orioles are not going to re-sign him.

It also, matters based on Jimenez’s overall moral outlook on the move. Jimenez seems to be happy as long as he is contributing to the team as he said “It’s always good to finally have a good one and finally do something for the team, especially when I was able to help the bullpen, so it feels good,”

Orioles manager Buck Showalter also thinks Jimenez will be back in the rotation. As he said, It’s a good outing for him, and hopefully it’s a sign that he can get back on track down the road.

Only time will tell what the future has in store for Ubaldo Jimenez.

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