by Sports Xchange

Updated: December 3, 2008, 9:40 PM EST

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--LHP Garrett Olson could be bullpen-bound in 2009 after a rough debut in the rotation. Orioles president Andy MacPhail hinted in a teleconference recently that the club would prefer to add a left-handed reliever with the ability to throw multiple innings. Olson, along with Brian Burres and Chris Waters, would be viable in-house options.

--LHP Troy Patton could be a middle-relief option for the Orioles, but the organization still holds out hope he'll reach his potential as a starter. Patton, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in spring training last season, told MASNsports.com he hasn't had any setbacks after completing a throwing program at the organization's Instructional League in Sarasota, Fla.

--OF Lou Montanez was named to the Topps' Class AA All-Star Team after winning the Eastern League Most Valuable Player award for hitting .335 with 26 home runs and 97 RBIs with Bowie. Montanez could break spring training as a fourth outfielder with the Orioles after impressing officials by hitting .295 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 38 big-league games last season.

--SS Luis Hernandez, who started the 2008 season at the Orioles' Opening Day shortstop, signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. Hernandez was demoted after batting .241 and playing sub-par defensively in 36 games to start the year.

BY THE NUMBERS: 28 -- Pitchers on the Orioles' 40-man roster, statistical evidence of Andy MacPhail's theory of building a staff through sheer depth.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I know fans have gone through losing seasons here much like in Cincinnati when I arrived there. Andy (MacPhail) is going to do this thing the right way, and I'm excited to be a part of it. It's going to make it all worthwhile when we do win here in the near future." -- Wayne Krivsky, upon being introduced as Orioles' assistant to the president of baseball operations.