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Mark Hendrickson is back in the Orioles' starting rotation, which is where he wanted to be when he signed with the club last offseason.
What the veteran left-hander wants now is to be back with the Orioles in 2010, and he's fully content if that is as a reliever.
"I want to come back here, without a doubt," said Hendrickson, who lives year-round in nearby York, Pa. "I have enjoyed being close to home. I have enjoyed pitching here. I have enjoyed the coaching staff and, more importantly, I like where the team is at" talent-wise.
Hendrickson, who has taken Brian Matusz's spot in the rotation and pitches tonight in the series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays, was 1-4 with a 6.35 ERA in seven starts this season before being moved to the bullpen in mid-May.
He has excelled there, going 4-0 with a 3.44 ERA in 47 games while providing a calming influence for a cadre of young relievers.
"He kind of likes to tell these guys what to expect," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "He doesn't tell them what to do, but he kind of has told them what the situation might be, what might happen, how best to handle it. In that regard, you can't get enough of those kinds of guys."
Hendrickson, 35, said he has grown into a bullpen leader as the season progressed.
"In a matter of a blink of an eye, it felt like I became five years older because the team went that much younger," he said. "But I kind of relish the role in helping some of the guys. And there may be times where I need to get on guys. I think the ultimate goal is to win now, don't take anything for granted, don't get complacent, and try to learn."
He's a free agent at season's end after signing a one-year, $1.5 million deal in December, and the club is open to bringing him back because of his versatility. He has been a middle reliever, matchup lefty and starter, or as Trembley says, "three guys in one."
Said Hendrickson: "I have no problem expressing my interest in returning here. It's something I would like to see get worked out, but it's got to be two sides to make it work. But that's how much I believe in the guys that are in here and what the situation has meant for me to be at home."
What the veteran left-hander wants now is to be back with the Orioles in 2010, and he's fully content if that is as a reliever.
"I want to come back here, without a doubt," said Hendrickson, who lives year-round in nearby York, Pa. "I have enjoyed being close to home. I have enjoyed pitching here. I have enjoyed the coaching staff and, more importantly, I like where the team is at" talent-wise.
Hendrickson, who has taken Brian Matusz's spot in the rotation and pitches tonight in the series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays, was 1-4 with a 6.35 ERA in seven starts this season before being moved to the bullpen in mid-May.
He has excelled there, going 4-0 with a 3.44 ERA in 47 games while providing a calming influence for a cadre of young relievers.
"He kind of likes to tell these guys what to expect," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "He doesn't tell them what to do, but he kind of has told them what the situation might be, what might happen, how best to handle it. In that regard, you can't get enough of those kinds of guys."
Hendrickson, 35, said he has grown into a bullpen leader as the season progressed.
"In a matter of a blink of an eye, it felt like I became five years older because the team went that much younger," he said. "But I kind of relish the role in helping some of the guys. And there may be times where I need to get on guys. I think the ultimate goal is to win now, don't take anything for granted, don't get complacent, and try to learn."
He's a free agent at season's end after signing a one-year, $1.5 million deal in December, and the club is open to bringing him back because of his versatility. He has been a middle reliever, matchup lefty and starter, or as Trembley says, "three guys in one."
Said Hendrickson: "I have no problem expressing my interest in returning here. It's something I would like to see get worked out, but it's got to be two sides to make it work. But that's how much I believe in the guys that are in here and what the situation has meant for me to be at home."
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