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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -The struggling Baltimore Orioles have a new shortstop.
Manager Dave Trembley said Freddie Bynum, activated Thursday from the 15-day disabled list, would replace Luis Hernandez. Infielder Eider Torres was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to make room on the roster.
"Right now, Bynum is the starting shortstop on this team," Trembley said before the Orioles opened a four-game series in Kansas City. "What that means is he will be the regular guy that plays."
A poor play by Hernandez on a potential double-play grounder in Oakland on Wednesday night led to Baltimore's fifth straight loss and persuaded Trembley to make a change.
A three-run eighth inning had given the Orioles a one-run lead. But with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom half, Hernandez was playing deep and did not charge a slow-roller hit straight to him by the slow-running Frank Thomas.
Because Hernandez waited on the ball, there was no chance for the inning-ending double play. The A's tied it and eventually won in the 10th on Mark Ellis' home run.
"I didn't have to see any more," Trembley said.
Hernandez had started 26 games at shortstop and was hitting .243 with three RBIs and three errors.
"To be honest with you, I just thought he played tentative," Trembley said.
Trembley said Hernandez would have a utility role.
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