Dan Connolly

Rickard stops swinging bat, likely won’t return; Trumbo deals with back spasms

By Dan Connolly

Posted on September 16, 2016

Outfielder Joey Rickard (thumb) won’t be ready to come off the disabled list Monday – and most likely not at all this season — and that, combined with Steve Pearce’s elbow/forearm injury and Mark Trumbo’s recent bout with back spasms, could lead to the Orioles dipping into their extended camp in Sarasota, Fla., for an outfielder.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Rickard, during his first attempt at live batting practice in Sarasota, took “one or two” swings and stopped Friday.

“It did not go well. We’ll see how he feels later on. He took one or two swings and went in,” Showalter said. “We thought he might be with us Monday. Doesn’t look like that’s going to happen. With him, Steve Pearce and now Trum, we may have to go grab somebody.”

Several outfielders are currently in the organization’s extended camp in Sarasota, staying sharp in case they are needed in the majors. Dariel Alvarez and Christian Walker are both on the 40-man roster; Julio Borbon and Chris Dickerson aren’t. Showalter said he believes moves could be made to create a 40-man roster spot if needed.

One possibility would be moving Pearce to the 60-day disabled list if it is decided he can’t play for the rest of the year. Pearce won’t be doing baseball activities for at least another week after receiving an injection his elbow, so his chances of returning in the regular season are tenuous at best.

Showalter said Trumbo’s situation isn’t considered particularly serious, and he could be back in the lineup soon, maybe even as a pinch-hitter Friday.

“Trumbo came in with some back spasms (Friday afternoon). It’s something he has, he told me, a couple times a year and managed (them) pretty quickly,” Showalter said. “Hopefully, they’ll manage by game time and he’ll be available to us.”

Trumbo will be treated by team doctors Friday and could be in the starting lineup Saturday, Showalter said.

O’Day’s sim game goes well

There was some good injury-related news for the Orioles on Friday.

Reliever Darren O’Day (shoulder) threw 25 to 26 pitches in a simulated game at Camden Yards. Showalter said everything seemed to go well, and if the veteran right-hander feels OK on Saturday, he’ll likely be activated Sunday or Monday.

He hasn’t pitched since Aug. 11.

Miley to start Sunday

Showalter confirmed Friday what he previously had suggested: Lefty Wade Miley will get the start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays and Jake Odorizzi.

Miley, who is 1-5 with an 8.41 ERA in eight starts for the Orioles, is 4-2 with a 2.81 ERA in his career against Tampa Bay.

Hart, Sisco to be honored

The Orioles named their 2016 minor league award winners Friday.

Catcher Chance Sisco was named the Brooks Robinson Minor League Player of the Year after batting .320 in 112 games at Double-A Bowie.

Reliever Donnie Hart was named the Jim Palmer Minor League Pitcher of the Year after going 3-1 with a 2.72 ERA at Bowie and then excelling once promoted to the majors.

Bowie infielder Drew Dosch won the Elrod Hendricks Minor League Community Service Award, minor league medical coordinator Dave Walker was named the Cal Ripken Sr. Player Development Award and scout Thom Dreier will receive the Jim Russo Scout of the Year Award.

All will be honored during an on-field ceremony Saturday