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Sarasota, Florida. Koji Uehara has made a smooth transition so far from starting pitcher to reliever for the Baltimore Orioles as the team prepares to open the Major League Baseball season in three weeks.

“There is still a part of me that wants to start, but at the same time, it’s a team decision. I’m happy to do whatever the team wants me to do,” Uehara told The Baltimore Sun newspaper through a translator. “I want to be in the major leagues, be on the team and be a contributor for the whole season.”

Uehara, who turns 36 next month, signed a two-year deal worth $10 million in 2009 but struggled with hamstring problems and a torn right elbow tendon, not pitching in the final three months of last season.

Uehara is now healthy, working on a fitness and training regimen from the Orioles and being used as a set-up man for Orioles closing pitcher Mike Gonzalez rather than a starter.

“We’re confident that he will help us in the bullpen this year,” said Andy MacPhail, Orioles president of baseball operations.

Uehara, an eight-time Japanese league All-Star and two-time Sawamura Award winner as Japan’s top pitcher, allowed only one hit and no runs in his first three innings of preseason exhibition games, striking out three.

“He has got life back on to his pitches,” Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. “He looks like he has the quickness back in his delivery. He has been very impressive so far.”

However, Uehara takes nothing for granted about his place on the roster for this season.

“We have some good pitchers around and I’m not sitting and thinking that my position is safe,” Uehara said. “I know I have to perform well.”



Agence France-Presse