Lee Returns from DL
By Editorial Staff
First baseman Derrek Lee will return to action tonight for the Baltimore Orioles. Lee will bat 5th for the O’s tonight as they face off against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Lee has been out since May 16th when he was forced to the disabled list due to an oblique injury.
Baltimore signed the 35 year old this offseason to fill a void at first. Lee is set to make $7.25 million on the year.
Expected to have a fairly formidable O, the Orioles have struggled out of the gate offensively. Along with Lee, fellow offseason addition J.J. Hardy and table-setter Brian Roberts have missed time. Several healthy players are underperforming, causing the club to find itself ranked in the bottom third of many offensive categories.
The two time All-Star was off to a slow start this season, but his production was increasing before his DL stint. Lee hit 3 of his 4 home runs and knocked in 10 of 14 RBIs during an injury-shortened May.
Lee is always good for his defense, and the Birds hope his offensive production can grow closer to his career numbers.
Reliever Pedro Viola has been optioned back to the minors to make room for Lee.