Davis’ playing time may decline
First baseman could sit more as rosters expand
Orioles first baseman Chris Davis was out of the starting lineup for the fourth straight game Thursday, and it seems likely that his playing time will continue to decline as the club heads into the final month of the season.
Manager Brandon Hyde said before Thursday night’s game that getting Davis into the lineup will get tougher when the roster limit expands in September and the club has more young players to evaluate under major league conditions.
“There are people we want to see and there are at-bats that we want to give to guys,” Hyde said. “I’m going to continue to pick my spots with CD. We’ve had conversations about it. I don’t think he’s swung the bat this year the way he wanted to and I think there are adjustments he needs to make and he’s aware of that.”
Davis declined to talk about the situation, but it’s clear that the club is focused on putting him in position to come back to spring training next year better equipped to reclaim the offensive approach that made him one of the most feared hitters in baseball before the statistical roof fell in on him. He’s batting .179/.270/.312 with nine home runs and 32 RBIs this season.
“We’ve had a lot of discussions with him as well as [executive vice president/ general manager] Mike [Elias] about planning out his offseason and some things we want to see him improve on. We’re continuing to have those.”
Though Hyde and Davis engaged in a much-publicized verbal confrontation in the dugout two weeks ago, Hyde said that “he’s been a pro the entire way … 100% pro.”
“He understands,” Hyde said. “I think you see him in the dugout supporting our guys. I’ve seen him pull some guys aside who have done some things on the bases that haven’t been appropriate or right. He has done a really nice job. He’s been great in the clubhouse and he’s handled this situation really well.”
Trumbo headed to Norfolk
Injured slugger Mark Trumbo will begin a five-game rehabilitation stint with Triple-A Norfolk in the hope of proving himself healthy enough to rejoin the O’s for the final month of the season.
Trumbo has been working his way back from a serious knee injury since last September and has had to back off on his aggressive rehab program a couple of times because of recurring discomfort.
“I’m hoping,” he said. “Until you get out there, the feedback’s really been apparent in game action. I’d like to think that the time — kind of the the window I’m in now — was the one that was recommended prior to surgery … about a year. September 7th of this year will be one year.
“People who know a lot more than me said that’s when things should start to feel a little more normal.”
Rutschman ready
Orioles top draft pick and top prospect Adley Rutschman debuted with a pair of walks Wednesday at Low-A Delmarva, and is excited to join one of the best teams in the minors on the cusp of their trip to the South Atlantic League playoffs.
“I’m hoping that it’s going to be a great experience, and it has so far,” Rutschman said Thursday at Perdue Stadium. “I’m just looking forward to the opportunity to get to play some more playoff baseball.”
Rutschman, who was promoted from Short-A Aberdeen on Tuesday after a 5-for-5 game and his first New York-Penn League home run in the Ironbirds’ first-half finale, hit .325 with an .894 OPS and ended his time there with a 10-game hitting streak.
He called that a “good way to go out,” and debuted behind the plate Wednesday and caught five different Shorebirds pitchers in a shutout win over Greensboro. Rutschman embraced the chance to get to know so many members of the new staff so quickly.
“It makes you better, every single time you catch a new pitcher,” he said. “You’ve got to learn their different qualities, and it can be a little uncomfortable at first, but that’s what you try and do in any sport, any situation, try and make yourself as uncomfortable as possible. That makes everything become a little easier. As my grandpa always used to say, be comfortable being uncomfortable.”
Smith. Jr. sent to Norfolk
The Orioles announced before the game that outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. had been reinstated from the 10-day injured list and
The Orioles are offering access to every home game at Camden Yards in September for one flat cost of $30.
The unlimited pass is a mobile-only program available exclusively through the free MLB Ballpark app, which is required for ticket delivery on iPhone and Android devices. Passes, which are nonrefundable and nonexchangeable, are limited to two per account.
The passes are for designated standing room areas, but can be upgraded to a seating location through the app. Passes will be treated like any other regular game ticket, which means fans can still receive promotional giveaways.
Only a select number of ticket passes are available. Fans can purchase by going to mlb.com/orioles/tickets/unlimited.