OF Rasmus begins rehab assignment
Beckham pleased with progress; Britton’s schedule moved up
Orioles outfielder Colby Rasmus, who hasn’t played since April 6 because of a left hip flexor strain, began his minor league rehabilitation assignment Friday with Double-A Bowie, but manager Buck Showalter said a quick return from the disabled list doesn’t appear imminent.
In his last game, at Yankee Stadium, Rasmus, 31, aggravated a hip injury that required surgery two offseasons ago. Signed during spring training to play regularly in right field against right-handed pitching, the left-handed-hitting Rasmus struggled mightily at the plate before landing on the DL, opening the season 2-for-21 with 13 strikeouts in his first eight games.
Asked whether his hip affected his production before landing on the DL, Rasmus said it was a hindrance, but he didn’t want to blame his struggles entirely on his hip. He said the discomfort increased in a game in NewYork on April 5. He played the next day but was shelved after that.
“I would say that my hip, it was hurting a little bit with the cold weather,” Rasmus said. “In those early games, when it was cold, I was having a hard time kind of getting it going, but we also ran into some good pitching, so I’m not going to blame it all on that. I felt good. It was just in that game against [New York Yankees starter Masahiro] Tanaka [on April 5] that I felt it and felt that hip flexor strain, and it got weak after that.”
Now, after rehabbing in Sarasota, Fla., Rasmus is ready to begin his minor league rehab assignment. He will have 20 days before the team must activate him from the DL.
“You want to make sure he’s playing in the game with the freedom that he needs to play with up here and not hamper any part of his game, because when he’s healthy, he can contribute for us,” Showalter said. “That’s important that he shows that.” Colby Rasmus Beckham encouraged by rehab: Infielder Tim Beckham can’t be activated from the 60-day DL until June 23, but he expects to return from core muscle surgery around that time.
Beckham, who was in Baltimore on Friday, said he’s been running at 80 to 85 percent, and has been intensifying his fielding drills at third base every day while rehabbing in Sarasota.
“It’s feeling well,” Beckham said. “I’m not at 100 percent yet, but definitely close. Definitely almost there, so I should be back soon. … I feel like I’m on schedule. Everything’s been going well on the rehab, and just take it day by day and keep pushing it.”
Beckham, 28, said he is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment June 14, which would give him nine days before he’s eligible to return. Britton pitching in Bowie: The Orioles adjusted closer Zach Britton’s minor league rehab assignment schedule, moving him up a day to make his second rehab appearance Friday with Bowie.
Britton (Achilles tendon) had his first rehab outing Wednesday, tossing a scoreless inning for High-A Frederick at Wilmington. He allowed one hit and struck out the side.
Looking ahead, the Orioles made the adjustment so that Britton could pitch with an affiliate again Sunday. Valencia returns, Hart optioned: Infielder Danny Valencia returned to the club after missing two games on the paternity list following the birth of his son, Oliver. The Orioles optioned left-handed reliever Donnie Hart to Triple-A Norfolk before Friday’s game to make room. Around the horn: Pitching prospect Hunter Harvey was scheduled to pitch just three innings for Bowie on Friday, an indication that he could be an option to be called up if the Orioles need some length early next week. … Right-hander Darren O’Day (hyperextended right elbow) continues to progress slowly. Showalter said that he will need at least one or two rehab games before being activated. … Baseball Treasure, a company that mints officially licensed collectible copper coins featuring 30 current baseball stars, has announced the introduction of collectible baseball trading coins in copper, silver and gold.