Team's move puts Bierbrodt in limbo

HOUSTON - Nick Bierbrodt pitched himself out of a job and into limbo.

The 25-year-old left-hander was designated for assignment Saturday as the Devil Rays further shuffled their roster, calling up Jorge Sosa to bolster their bullpen and adding third baseman Jeff Liefer in place of Jason Smith.

The Rays have 10 days to dispose of Bierbrodt, either by trade, release or waivers. Most likely, they'll try to get him through waivers so they can send him to the minor leagues (a necessary move since he is out of options), hoping no team claims him for the $20,000 fee.

"He needs to go pitch," manager Lou Piniella said. "He needs to get some innings, he needs to get some confidence, he needs to have some success, he needs to get some people out."

Bierbrodt, 0-2 with a 16.44 ERA as a starter, 9.68 overall, was expecting the news after allowing seven runs in fewer than two innings Friday.

"I can't blame them for doing it," Bierbrodt said. "I thank them for the chance. If I clear waivers I'll go down and get straightened out and hopefully get back up here and show why they traded for me. In this organization it's been proven that if you pitch well you get an opportunity."

The move came one year to the day after Bierbrodt suffered life-threatening injuries in a Charleston, S.C., shooting.

"June 7 is just an awesome day in my life," Bierbrodt said. "But if someone told me when I was lying in a hospital bed last June 7 that I'd be getting designated a year later, I'd take that."

FOR STARTERS: Bierbrodt had been moved into the rotation to replace injured Joe Kennedy, so by calling up Sosa to work in long relief the Rays still are short a starter.

Victor Zambrano will work today, on three days' rest, and Dewon Brazelton on Tuesday (against the Reds and ex-Ray Paul Wilson), but the rest of the rotation is unsettled. If they stay in order, they could go with Carlos Reyes on Wednesday, Jeremi Gonzalez on Thursday and Zambrano on Friday against Pittsburgh, then would need a starter for Saturday.

When they make a move, Piniella said they likely will get rid of a position player so they can go back to carrying 12 pitchers. "We can't stay with 11, we've proven that pretty much," he said.

Sosa was 1-5, 5.60 in nine appearances (five starts) before being sent down after breaking a team rule by leaving the bench immediately after being taken out of a game. He was 1-1 with a 5.47 ERA in four starts at Durham.

WHIRLWIND TRIP: Smith didn't get to stay very long, getting called up Wednesday and playing in his only game Thursday, making two throwing errors. Piniella said Smith was sent back to Durham because Liefer was added, not because of his play.

"Just one of those things," Smith said.

POWER BALL: The Rays brought in Liefer because of his offensive potential. To take a look, they are going to play him at his least familiar position, third base, where he has 15 big-league starts, most recently Sept. 21, 2001.

"That's a spot where I can get him some at-bats," Piniella said. "I told him to do the best he can over there. We're hoping he comes in and hits for us. If he does, we'll find a place for him on the field."

Liefer, who went 0-for-4 and handled two plays with no problem, said he welcomed the opportunity: "It's going to take some work, and I'm ready to put some work in."

MISCELLANY: If Roger Clemens fails in his next bid for win No. 300, his next start likely would be against the Rays June 17 or 18. . . . Catcher Toby Hall is the toughest hitter to strike out in the AL, fanning once every 19.1 plate appearances. . . . Aubrey Huff on Lance Berkman's Minute Maid Park record 464-foot homer: "That's it? Pretty impressive." ... The Rays have made 16 roster moves in 31 days. . . . Liefer was the 41st player used by the Rays this season.