Baltimore Orioles Getting Healthy at the Right Time
As mid-September approaches and the playoff chase is close to an end, the Baltimore Orioles are getting key players back from the disabled list.
Currently, the Baltimore Orioles hold the second Wild Card position and are only one game ahead of the Detroit Tigers. They’ve also lost seven of their last 13 games. The good news is, they are getting a number of players back from the disabled list and it is just in time.
Starters
Chris Tillman is expected to make Sunday’s start which is against the Tigers in Detroit. He’s been on the 15-day disabled list due to shoulder bursitis.
Tillman has been solid this season, posting a 15-5 record with a 3.76 ERA in 26 starts. He’s been arguably the best starter for the O’s and Sunday’s game is a big one if they want to remain a playoff contender. Ubaldo Jimenez and Kevin Gausman will be the starters on Friday and Saturday against the Tigers.
Relievers
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Reliever Darren O’Day is also expected back. He will be participating in bullpen sessions and a simulated game but should come off the disabled list next week. He was dealing with issues related to a rotator cuff strain since mid-August.
O’Day hasn’t been quite the same pitcher as he has been in the past, but his presence will be welcomed. And in an interview with MASN Sports, O’Day stated, “Felt good, no pain, so that’s good… It’s the best it felt since I got hurt, so that’s encouraging.”
Left-handed reliever Jayson Aquino is expected to come off the roster following tonight’s game. He has been replaced by Brian Duensing, who returned from the disabled list (elbow) earlier this week. Duensing pitched one inning, faced four batters and surrendered one hit against the Rays since his return.
Offense
Chris Davis had a bit of a scare the other night against the Rays. He exited the game early due to an issue in his left hand. Davis has had this issue for several months this season and ended up receiving X-rays. They came back negative but manager Buck Showalter stated he still wants to give Davis a couple of days off.
The O’s will desperately want Davis healthy down the stretch. In his past five games, Davis has hit .444/.474/.944 with three home runs and six RBI. This was following a cold streak at the end of August. He’s been streaky this season and his home runs seem to come in bunches, but if he can be healthy for this final stretch, the O’s offense should be in good shape.
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The Baltimore Orioles are getting some of their better players back right as the race is getting tight. They’ll look to set the tone for the month this weekend as they head to Detroit for a three-game series. Detroit is one game back from Baltimore for the second Wild Card spot.