In a Baltimore Sun article about Matt Riley's path to the majors Orioles vice president Mike Flanagan says that the fifth spot in the rotation is Riley's to lose. His main "comptetion" for the final spot is Omar Daal and Rick Bauer.

Riley was the O's third-round pick in the 1997 draft. He blew out his left elbow and had to undergo the Tommy John ligament transplant surgery in September of 2000.

Last year in 14 starts at Double-A Bowie Riley had a 73/23 K/BB in 72.1 IP and allowed 56 hits before being called up to Triple-A Ottowa. At Ottowa, Riley had a 77/28 K/BB in 70.1 IP and allowed 70 hits before getting a late season call-up to the majors. With the O's Riley made 2 starts against Toronto and went 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA.

The Orioles would be best to give him a shot in the rotation from the start of the season if he has a strong spring.