October 8, 2008 Jamie Walker does not need to undergo surgery on his left elbow, according to the Baltimore Sun. He spent the past two days in Birmingham, Alabama, getting examined by Dr. James Andrews. Phil Tannenbaum (his agent) said, "Walker had his second appointment with Dr. Andrews today, and Dr. Andrews gave him a clean bill of health. He prescribed a little bit of rest and some exercises, and Walker should be ready to go for spring training."
Our View:This is good news for the 37-year-old reliever, who is entering the final season of a three-year, $12 million deal he signed in November 2006.
September 28, 2008 Jamie Walker is seeking a second opinion on his throwing elbow before the first one has been fully explained, according to MLB.com.
Our View:The Orioles' situational southpaw recently underwent an MRI on the ailing elbow. He was told that there's "nothing catastrophic" involved with his injury, but he'll see Dr. James Andrews next week to confirm.
September 11, 2008 Jamie Walker won't use a sore elbow as an excuse for his poor work this season, but he will have an MRI once the season is over to determine what is going on in the joint, according to the Baltimore Sun. "I have no excuses," Walker said. "It's just been a bad year for me. I'm hoping that there is nothing in [the elbow], and I'm just going to try to finish the year out and we'll go from there."
Our View:Walker owns a 3.84 career ERA and had posted a mark below 3.75 in 6-straight seasons before this year's terrible lack of production leading to a 6.37 mark. Never a hard thrower, Walker needs pinpoint control to be successful, and he just hasn't had it this season as he has been taken deep 12 times in 35.1 innings.
July 27, 2008 The Orioles activated lefthander Jamie Walker from the 15-day disabled list. If the Orioles move George Sherrill he could be in the closer's mix.
Our View:Walker went 1-0 with a 4.98 ERA in 37 games before being placed on the DL on June 26 with inflammation in his pitching elbow.
July 22, 2008 Orioles LHP Jamie Walker has returned to the team after throwing a 25-pitch simulated game today, according to MLB.com.
Our View:Walker, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since June 30 with left elbow inflammation, threw to catcher Guillermo Quiroz and shortstop Brandon Fahey -- the first hitters he has faced since pitching to one batter in the Orioles' loss to the Cubs on June 25. Walker, who said he felt no pain during the session, will be reevaluated on Wednesday, and hopes to be activated on Thursday.
