http://tinyurl.com/klawb3 Ray headed to DL with biceps tendinitis Reliever Mickolio called up to replace injured veteran By Doug Miller / MLB.com / 07/06/09 11:06 PM ET SEATTLE -- Chris Ray's right arm has been a major concern for the Orioles for almost two years. That's why Monday's news that the team's former closer needed to go on the 15-day disabled list because of biceps tendinitis caused a bit more worry than the usual July wear-and-tear injury. Orioles manager Dave Trembley said Ray, who underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery in August 2007 and missed all of last year, had been receiving treatment in the biceps area this season that had allowed him to appear in 23 games. Ray hadn't been particularly effective, giving up 36 hits and 22 earned runs in 21 1/3 innings, but he was starting to show signs that his fastball might be getting close to the velocity that helped him save 33 games in 2006 and 16 in '07 prior to the elbow problems. Trembley said he was sure that the biceps problem is not related to the elbow surgery and that he didn't think the injury would have Ray out "for an extended amount of time" beyond the 15 days, but the skipper admitted that it's yet another frustration for Ray and the club. "Maybe he was trying to throw a little harder, maybe he was trying to get a little more movement on his pitches," Trembley said. "After the game yesterday, he said the more 'on top' he got with his pitches, he felt a pinch. "It's been tough not having him out there. I'm sure it's really tested his patience and perseverance for all the things he's had to do in order to get back on the mound. First he had to go to Triple-A and get some success and get a chance to pitch on a more consistent basis, then he comes back here and this happens. So it's another setback for him, but we need to get him back 100 percent and get him back to where he was when he was that guy that was so important and saved all those games." Meanwhile, the loss of Ray has opened the door of opportunity for Kam Mickolio, the 6-foot-9 right-hander who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to take Ray's spot on the roster. Mickolio, 25, was 2-3 with a 3.21 ERA in 27 relief appearances with the Tides. Mickolio has 37 strikeouts over 33 2/3 innings, and in his past 21 innings, he had a 1.07 ERA. Mickolio was originally an 18th-round pick in the First-Year Player Draft by the Mariners and was dealt to the Orioles in 2008 in the trade that sent Erik Bedard to Seattle and brought '09 All-Star Adam Jones and '08 All-Star George Sherrill to Baltimore in addition to top pitching prospect Chris Tillman, who will play in the XM All-Star Futures Game in St. Louis on Sunday. "I think I've been getting into the comfort zone," said Mickolio, who appeared in nine games with the Orioles last season, going 0-1 with a 5.87 ERA in 7 2/3 innings. "Early on I had a groin injury and was out of my comfort zone with my delivery and my mechanics. As time progressed, through little tweaks here and there, everything just kind of fell into place and I started throwing better." Mickolio said at one point in his career, he figured he'd make his Major League debut at Safeco Field, which made Monday's first visit to the home of his former organization somewhat strange. "It might feel a little weird, seeing some of the guys I came up with, guys like Rob Johnson," Mickolio said. "It might be a little weird, also, pitching in front of the organization that brought me up. It'll be interesting." Trembley said Mickolio's fastball command and slider have become more crisp and consistent in the Minors this year, which is why he was recommended when Ray went down. Mickolio said he's been used out of the bullpen for multiple innings and on back-to-back days lately, so he's ready for whatever role the Orioles want him to fill. He also admitted to being nervous during his callup time in 2008 and said he's learned a lot about pitching in the big leagues. "There will always be nerves here and there, but I think [the Major League experience] did help me out, for sure," Mickolio said. "I think [that with] getting those first few outings out of the way and knowing what I'm capable of doing, from this point on, I'll hopefully just relax and just do what I've been doing that got me here." --

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