Pearce shut down with arm trouble
IF-OF gets plasma injection in N.Y.; Showalter optimistic about return
BOSTON — The remainder of Orioles infielder-outfielder Steve Pearce’s season is in question after he was shut down indefinitely by the club after his visit with well-known orthopedist Dr. David Altchek on Wednesday morning in New York for a setback earlier this week with his right arm.
Pearce received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his throwing forearm near his elbow area Wednesday after seeing Altchek, the New York Mets medical director. The procedure will shelve him for the next several days. But manager Buck Showalter said he’s optimistic Pearce will be able to contribute again this season.
“If my memory serves me right, it’s two or three days, but everybody is a little different with it,” Showalter said. “They found what they thought they would find. … I’m optimistic he will be able to do some things for us this season.”
Pearce felt pain in his elbow area after throwing from left field to second base in the first inning of the Orioles’ 12-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Monday at Fenway Park. He aggravated a flexor mass strain he suffered making a throw from the outfield Aug. 7 in Chicago that forced him to miss nearly a week and prevented him from playing the outfield for about two weeks.
Showalter wouldn’t disclose more specifics of Pearce’s injury Wednesday. Pearce received a cortisone injection last month, and Wednesday’s PRP injection indicates that Pearce and the club are attempting to get him through the season before considering surgery.
Flexor mass strains can be serious injuries, and sometimes are precursors to elbow reconstruction procedures, more commonly known as Tommy John surgery.
Pearce was able to manage the problem until Monday, but it is obvious that his injury is now is affecting his ability to swing. On Tuesday, Showalter said Pearce, who bats right-handed, struggled to even open a drawer with his right arm. Steve Pearce Orioles unveil 2017 schedule: The Orioles released their regularseason schedule for next year, and they will open April 3 at home against the American League East rival Toronto Blue Jays.
The Orioles will also play the National League Central in interleague play, and will host the Pittsburgh Pirates (June 6-7), St. Louis Cardinals (June 16-18) and Chicago Cubs (July 14-16) at Camden Yards.
The annual “Beltways Series” games against the Washington Nationals will take place in May. The Orioles will host the Nationals on May 8-9, then play two more games at Nationals Park on May10-11.
After an August that will include 16 home games, the Orioles will finish the season with 15 of their last 22 games on the road. Around the horn: Utility man Paul Janish, who had been working out in Sarasota, Fla., joined the club Wednesday and will likely have his contract selected today. “Stevie [Pearce] was more coverage for us at second base and third base, so that’s why we wanted to get Paul here,” Showalter said. ... Showalter said outfielder Joey Rickard, who has been on the disabled list since late July with a right thumb injury, is scheduled to be activated from the 60-day DL on Monday. ... Utility man Ryan Flaherty started in left field against Red Sox right-hander Rick Porcello on Wednesday night. Flaherty, who made his first start since Aug. 11, entered the game hitting .545 (6-for-11) with one homer in his career against Porcello and .337 (28-for-83) at Fenway Park. He went 0-for-3 in the win. … Center fielder Adam Jones will receive the Orioles’ Roberto Clemente Award tonight. The award is given to one player from each team who “best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.” … Third baseman Manny Machado was the Orioles’ nominee for this year’s Marvin Miller Man of the Year award, given by the players union to a player who “constantly exhibits grit, tenacity, perseverance and hustle, all for the benefit of his teammates and fans.”