Benson out for season with rotator cuff tear
Ken Rosenthal / FOXSports.com
In a sharp blow to the Orioles' 2007 hopes, right-hander Kris Benson will miss the entire season due to a partially torn rotator cuff, FOXSports.com has learned.
Benson, 32, will require surgery to repair his injury, which surfaced after he began throwing in off-season workouts, according to a source with knowledge of his condition.
The Orioles, coming off nine straight losing seasons, expected Benson to solidify a rotation that includes left-hander Erik Bedard, righty Jaret Wright and two promising youngsters, righty Daniel Cabrera and lefty Adam Loewen.
To replace Benson, the Orioles could sign a free agent from a dwindling list that includes right-hander Steve Trachsel, left-hander Ron Villone and left-hander Mark Redman.
Trachsel, who is familiar to Orioles vice-president Jim Duquette from their days together in the Mets' organization, is drawing serious consideration, according to two industry sources.
Benson is no stranger to arm trouble — he missed all of 2001 due to elbow-ligament transplant surgery and made only 18 starts in '03 due to right shoulder tendonitis.
He averaged 30 starts and 186 innings over the past three seasons with the Mets and Orioles, but missed time with elbow tendonitis last season and finished 11-12 with a 4.82 ERA.
Benson is signed for this season at $7.5 million, and the Orioles hold a $7.5 million club option on him for 2008. Insurance likely will defray some of his '07 salary.
Lifetime, Benson is 68-73 with a 4.34 ERA.