I have been down on George Sherrill recently mostly because of his lack of control that led to poor performances.  He was still on pace for 40 saves, and was a great sleeper I picked up late in a few leagues.  There was really no indication that he was suffering from injury.  He then wasn’t able to warm up properly on Monday, complained of shoulder soreness, and then was promptly put on the DL.  Sherrill has gone the way of <strong>Billy Wagner.

The initial diagnosis is shoulder inflammation.  He could miss just two weeks, or he could miss the rest of the season.  It’s unknown how serious the injury is.  Jim Johnson will be the first man to get a shot at the closer gig because he has been Baltimore’s best set-up man.  He has 19 holds and a 2.37 ERA, but doesn’t strike out batters (35K in 64 2/3 IP).  The recently deposed starter Dennis Sarfate could also get a shot in late innings.  He bombed as a starter, but has been solid as a reliever (3.78 ERA).  He has much greater stuff than Johnson sporting a mid-90’s fastball and is a true strikeout pitcher (9.18 K/9).

Sherrill and his flat-billed hat are headed to the DL.