Outfielder returns to Fresno uncertain of his future role.
By Bryant-Jon Anteola / The Fresno Bee
07/21/08 23:11:38
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Dan Ortmeier's 2008 statistics with the Giants:

* 64 at-bats

*.219 batting average

*4 runs

*0 home runs

*5 RBIs

*2 stolen bases

*18 strikeouts

*7 walks

In four seasons, Ortmeier has a .255 career average in 124 career games.
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There is a touch of fear that comes with putting on a Fresno Grizzlies uniform again after having worn a San Francisco Giants jersey.

No matter the reason for a player's arrival in Fresno -- be it demotion, rehabilitation assignment, or the typical up-and-down life as a player with minor-league options -- that return to Triple-A can play games with his mind.

And it conjures up a question that most dread thinking about: How long am I going to be here?

"No one likes thinking about it," Grizzlies manager Dan Rohn said. "It's out of their control. When you've been to the bigs and have to come back down, it's just a different world and you don't want to leave. Making that adjustment can be tough."

For Dan Ortmeier, his return to the Grizzlies this past weekend after spending the season with the Giants can be blamed on his middle finger.

He broke it back in May, and isn't exactly sure how it happened. Now that his finger is healed, he isn't exactly sure when he's going to return to the Giants.

Ortmeier has been rehabbing in the minors the past two weeks and joined the Grizzlies on Saturday after playing eight games with Class-A San Jose. He has one hit in 10 at-bats in Fresno.

Ortmeier's rehab assignment ends Friday, then the Giants must decide whether to re-active him or release him, being that the 27-year-old is out of options.

Ortmeier doesn't like to think about what the Giants are going to do, if or when he's going to return to the majors, and who's next in line from the farm system to get called up.

The Giants have one open spot on their 25-man roster following Sunday's trade of second baseman Ray Durham. It's assumed that veteran Dave Roberts, who has been rehabbing with the Grizzlies and is hitting .393 in 10 games, will be called up to fill the 25th slot.

If so, Ortmeier and the Giants have a big decision looming about their relationship.

Ortmeier met with Giants general manager Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy on Saturday morning but said he left unsure what direction the Giants planned to take.

"He could very well go back up and play every day, or he might get sent down back to Triple-A," Rohn said. "You just don't know. It's tough. Sometimes, you just need a break and hopefully you can make a good impression."

If Ortmeier is not activated, he'll be designated for assignment and will have to clear waivers (a 10-day period when other major league clubs can pick him up), before rejoining the Grizzlies.

A third-round pick of the Giants in 2002, Ortmeier spent time with the Giants in each of the past four seasons but most of each season in the minors. The switch-hitter provides a bit of both power and speed, and can cover ground defensively as a center fielder.

Ortmeier began the year as the Giants' starting first baseman and played in 64 games. But during that time, Ortmeier hit .219 and failed to hit a home run. A year ago, Ortmeier hit .287 with six homers in 157 at-bats for San Francisco.

And in baseball, regression typically means a return to the minors, if not a release.

"I'm a big believer that you can only do what you can do, and give it everything you've got," Ortmeier said. "Whatever happens, happens.

"It's the side of the game you don't really like to look at. It's hard enough to go out there and hit that white thing, much less with stuff on your mind."
The reporter can be reached at banteola@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6362.

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