Baltimore, MD (My Sportsbook) - The Baltimore Orioles re-signed righthanded pitcher Pat Hentgen to a new contract for the 2003 season, with a club option for 2004. Hentgen, who turns 34 on November 13, made $4.5 million in 2002. He originally signed a two-year contract with an option with the Orioles prior to the 2001 season. Hentgen made only nine starts in his first season with the Orioles, going 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA, before tearing a ligament in his right elbow in May. He had "Tommy John" surgery in August 2001, and spent most of this past season rehabilitating. He was activated in September and went 0-4 with a 7.77 ERA in four starts. The 1996 American League Cy Young Award winner, Hentgen, holds a career record of 122-95 with a 4.22 ERA in 12 major league seasons. "Orioles fans and the organization have been great to me," Hentgen said. "I was so excited when I first signed with Baltimore, to be able to play at Camden Yards, so it was really frustrating when I got hurt (in 2001). I really wanted to re-sign with the Orioles because Baltimore is a fantastic place to play and I think there are a lot of reasons to be optimistic about this team." |
