BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles shook up their rotation Monday, sending slumping starters Garrett Olson and Dennis Sarfate to the bullpen.
Olson lasted only 1 1/3 innings in Sunday's 16-8 victory over the Detroit Tigers, allowing four hits and five runs. Olson's eight victories are tied for second-most on the Baltimore staff, but the rookie left-hander's 6.38 ERA was the highest among the starters.
"I think I had to do something to be fair to the team and to be fair to Olson," manager Dave Trembley said. "Olson needs to get some success and be put in a situation that's not as stressful and pressure-packed as it would appear it's been for him his last three starts."
Olson took the demotion in stride, noting Trembley was showing confidence in him by sending him to the bullpen instead of the minors. Olson was 4-1 in his first seven starts, but failed to pitch into the sixth inning in eight of 15 starts since May 31.
"It has been in the back of my mind, that I haven't been doing my job," Olson said. "I tried to make adjustments; it's just being consistent has been hard this year. I've showed brief blips of it, but I need to have it more, especially to help the team out."
Sarfate, 4-3 with a 5.35 ERA in 49 appearances, was moved from the bullpen to the rotation July 30 after Radhames Liz was sent to Triple-A Norfolk. Sarfate made four starts, going 0-2 with 10.34 ERA.
Because of an off day Thursday, there's no immediate need to select a replacement for Sarfate. Olson's turn would come up Friday, and Trembley declined to identify his starter for that day.
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