Orioles Uehara likely to start season on DL

Posted Mar 29, 2010 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 29, 2010 at 05:37 PM

SARASOTA — Baltimore Orioles reliever Koji Uehara expects to start the season on the disabled list because of a strained left hamstring.

Uehara hasn’t pitched since March 18, when he left a game against Toronto with hamstring tightness. The Japanese native has been slow recovering from the injury, and conceded Monday that he won’t be ready for the opener against Tampa Bay on April 6.

He said he was not disappointed, because it’s more important he be completely healthy when he finally gets back on the mound.

Uehara starred in Japan before coming to Baltimore last season. He started 12 games before being shut down with an elbow injury in June.
-The Associated Press