Earlier this morning, the Orioles demoted Opening Day starter Jake Arrieta to Triple-A Norfolk, after he allowed six runs in 3.2 innings against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim Thursday.

Arrieta was promptly sent down to Triple-Norfolk after the 9-7 loss. He'll join fellow former Oriole rotation members Brian Matusz and Tommy Hunter. Zach Britton, who started for the Orioles last year at times, is also with the Tides. Arrieta's ERA was 6.13 after the loss to the Angels, but he didn't take the decision.

Arrieta, as he always has, accepted responsibility for his struggles. Arrieta was almost demoted in June, but the Orioles decided to briefly move him to the bullpen, and then moved him back to the rotation.

After a spectacular Opening Day, during which he allowed two hits and no runs through seven innings, Arrieta's pitching has gone downhill. He's failed to get through six innings during nine of his 18 starts.

The Orioles are almost at the All-Star break, and if they are going to make a postseason push, starting pitching is going to hold them back.

The lack of success in developing Arrieta and Matusz reflects poorly on the Orioles organization. The two players have been cornerstones of the rebuilding process, yet their progress has been stagnant at best. In making Arrieta the Opening Day starter, Showalter indicated how much he believed in the 26-year-old right-hander, who was a fifth-round pick for the Birds in 2007.

Showalter said it was time, in April, for Arrieta to grab the leadership mantle. But it seems Arrieta might not have been ready.

The Orioles called up Chris Tillman earlier this week and he shined during a start against the Mariners, but the Orioles are in a serious quandary as they struggle to fill out the rotation for the second half of the season. The Orioles have won just three out of the last 10 games and are six games better than .500.

Posted July 6, 2012