after tossing just 6 innings in 4 games in , his first official year, dubose looked to be a career minor leaguer for good. however, luckily for him, when the baltimore orioles needed a spot starter for a game against the royals in may , they recalled dubose from triple-a ottawa and he did not disappoint, tossing 6 innings of 3-hit, 2-run ball. dubose spent most of 2003 in the bullpen, though he was made a full-time starter in september. dubose finished '03 with a 3-6 record and 3.79 era in 17 games.