December 30, 2008 Melvin Mora will represent Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Our View:He opted against playing in the 2006 event due to concerns regarding his role, as Venezuela wanted to feature him in the outfield and not at third base. Mora is the first member of the Orioles to commit to the WBC.
December 18, 2008 The Baltimore Sun reports that 38-year-old third baseman Melvin Mora hopes to play for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic this spring.
Our View:The Orioles may not be too thrilled with the idea, but it could pay off. Mora got off to a terrible start in 2008 before finishing with a strong second half performance.
September 28, 2008 Melvin Mora went 1-for-3 and registered the Orioles' lone RBI in Sunday's 10-1 loss to Toronto. His hit was a double, marking Baltimore's only extra base hit in the game.
Our View:Mora ended the year with 104 RBI, tying his season-best total (2004).
September 22, 2008 Melvin Mora may have played his last game of the 2008 season because of his injured hamstring, according to MLB.com. "It's stiff. It feels like it's going to explode," he said. "It's a bad feeling. I make it worse every day I play."
Our View:Mora is hitting .282-23-102 and has been one of the better hitters in the game since the All-Star break. With the club going nowhere, the team might decide to shut him down to avoid blowing out the hammy, though Mora would like to play again before the year is over. Oscar Salazar figures to see an increase in playing time.
September 11, 2008 Melvin Mora has been inserted into the Orioles lineup on Thursday at the DH position after missing the past two weeks because of an injured hamstring, according to MLB.com.
Our View:The team will take is slow with Mora though they hope to be able to move him back to his customary third base position by next week. If you can, it would probably make sense to get Mora back in your lineup immediately given that he has hit .393-12-49 over his last 37 games.
