All Things Bubba

Well, I have to say, I wasn't expecting this. Paul Janish was called up by the Orioles about three weeks ago, when utility infielder Ryan Flaherty went on the DL with shoulder inflammation. I figured his roster spot was safe until Flaherty came off the DL.

But the O's had other plans. They acquired Ruben Tejada from the Yankees, two days ago. They announced he was being assigned to AAA, but today purchased his contract and designated Janish for assignment.

Janish has had all of five at-bats in his three weeks with the O's this year, so it seems odd that they would even bother to switch utility infielders.

Unless they are hoping Tejada can be more than a utility infielder. JJ Hardy has been really struggling this year. And it's the last year of his contract. Baltimore may be hoping Tejada can be the starting SS, at least part of the time.

Janish can refuse a minor league assignment and elect free agency if he clears waivers, but I expect he will report to Norfolk. He has in previous years, and this year, he's moved his family to Norfolk. It sounds like the Orioles have offered him a coaching job once his playing days are done.

Here's a short interview MASN did with Janish last weekend.

He talks about finishing his Rice degree, interning in real estate, and wanting to stay in the game even after he retires from playing. And about what a great experience winning the CWS was, and how he's still good friends with the guys he played with back then. (He said that when he was in Cincinnati, too: that winning the CWS with Rice was the best experience he ever had in baseball, because they won it all.)

Roch Kubatko had another interview with Janish the other day, that was kind funny. Janish said he wanted to be the emergency catcher and the disaster relief pitcher (roles he filled in Cincinnati). Kubatko warned him it could be dangerous. The O’s have had to put two catchers on the DL with...um...testicular injuries. Janish said he’d be okay, because with two boys and a girl, he’s not planning on having any more kids.

Good ol’ Janny, always ready to take one for the team. Maybe he'll get called up again later this year.

Meanwhile, the Reds activated Tony Cingrani today. He's been on the DL for a couple of months with an oblique injury. The Reds have given up on Cingrani starting; he's just not durable enough. But he's been solid out of the pen, at least when healthy.

Labels: Paul Janish, Tony Cingrani