Borbon is O’s ‘best option’
Center fielder called up with Jones injured
NEW YORK — With center fielder Adam Jones unable to play because of a left hamstring strain, the Orioles added Julio Borbon to the roster and started him in center field for Saturday’s matinee against the New York Yankees.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked whether adding Borbon instead of using reserve outfielder Nolan Reimold in center field meant Jones’ injury could linger for several days. Showalter said it was “not the only reason.”
Jones had a hamstring cramp that kept him out of the ninth inning Thursday night in Washington, then was substituted for in the second inning Friday night after aggravating the injury trying to beat out a soft ground ball in the first inning against the Yankees.
“I think Adam was trying to talk us into playing today,” Showalter said. “I think we got him out of there — it’s very similar to the day before. I have a feeling if he didn’t have that first swinging bunt, he might have played all nine and not been a problem. You know how they wet the field down, and he’s not going to trot to first base, as much as I talked to him about it before the game.
“He was here since 1:30, 2 o’clock yesterday. I was watching him sprint around all over the place. It’s just a different level you take it to in a game.”
Borbon, who was back in Double-A Bowie after playing five games for the Orioles in July, was the major league club’s “best option right now,” Showalter said.
“He’s got some foot speed; he’s got some experience in the big leagues here this year,” Showalter said. “He was our best option of what we had available.
“We talked about a lot of other options. We had some other center field options — [Chris] Dickerson has only played very little time there, considering how long he’s played there. Dariel [Alvarez], too. Borbon was our best option at this point.”
Borbon took the 40-man roster spot of Logan Ondrusek, who was designated for assignment Friday. He took the 25-man roster spot of Mike Wright, who pitched three innings of relief Friday. Wright was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk and will rejoin the Tides rotation, and “is an option to come back” when rosters expand Sept. 1, Showalter said. Reimold ready: Jones’ injury shined a spotlight on Reimold on Friday and could get him more playing time going forward.
Reimold, in the midst of a three-month slump during which his average has fallen to .225 with a .669 OPS this season, said he’s ready to assume a larger role down the stretch for the Orioles.
“I’m just trying to stay ready whether I’m in there or not,” Reimold said. “Last year, [Jones] hurt his shoulder and I actually finished the year pretty strong. I know my role. If he’s out, then I’ll step in and be ready.”
If not, Reimold hopes to benefit from more regular at-bats than he has received recently as a platoon player who only faces lefthanders.
“Obviously, you talk to anybody that plays, regular at-bats, you feel comfortable, you start getting locked in,” he said. “But that’s just the way it is with not being an everyday guy. You’ve just got to get the job done somehow.”
The season started well for Reimold, who carried a scalding spring training into April and May. He entered June batting .300 with four home runs and an .870 OPS despite making just 22 starts in 50 games.
He has quieted significantly since, even as the outfield has become thinner. Joey Rickard has been out more than a month with a torn thumb ligament, and the Orioles have played an outfielder short for most of that time, but Reimold isn’t playing as much and isn’t hitting well when he is.
In 54 games (26 starts) since June 1, Reimold is batting .163 with one home run.
Borbon started over him in part for defensive reasons Saturday, with Reimold’s first foray into center field in a long time beginning poorly. He was charged with an error Friday night on a sinking line drive to left-center that hit off his glove in the Yankees’ six-run second inning.
“It’s different, but it’s something that I should be able to do,” he said of the center field assignment in Jones’ absence. “It’s short notice, but I’ve got to get in there and get the job done.” Around the horn: The Orioles allowed back-to-back 18-hit games for the first time since Aug. 11-12, 1993, against the Detroit Tigers. … High-A Frederick infielder Aderlin Rodriguez was named to the Carolina League’s postseason All-Star team. He has been the Keys’ best hitter all season, batting .303 with 23 home runs and 85 RBIs. … With three home runs Saturday, the Orioles have 202 this season, marking their fifth straight year with at least 200.