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Baltimore Orioles

23-21,
3rd AL East

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Orioles Team Report

Yahoo! Sports - 1 hour, 21 minutes ago

Inside Pitch
Notes, Quotes
Roster Report

Danny Valencia didn't wait to show fans why he's in Baltimore.

The slugger ripped a double in his first Orioles at-bat, hours after arriving at Oriole Park at Camden Yards upon being called up from Class AAA Norfolk.

Valencia was believed to have an inside track on a reserve role in spring training, but lost out to the likes of others who put up stronger numbers -- namely Steve Pearce.

But now, as the Orioles are without left fielder and part-time designated hitter Nolan Reimold, manager Buck Showalter is in need of a right-handed bat.

Where he fits in defensively is a bit more precarious. Could he play second base, Valencia would be in the lineup regularly. But as it stands, his two primary positions -- first base and third base -- happen to be locked up by two of the Orioles' best hitters: Chris Davis and Manny Machado, respectively.

In all likelihood, Valencia will serve as a designated hitter and part-time first baseman, giving Davis a break defensively from time to time. It's unlikely he'll move Machado off third, unless the 20-year-old is given a breather as a designated hitter.

He also started playing the outfield recently at Norfolk, though he's never played there in the majors. With six other players on the roster with significant outfield experience, it's unlikely Valencia will see regular innings in the outfield.

The Orioles are hoping to capitalize on his hot bat -- Valencia had 11 homers at Norfolk, with seven of them coming in the 10 games prior to his recall.

Valencia ended up getting the nod as the DH on Monday, going 1-for-5 in the Orioles' 6-4 10-inning loss to the Yankees.

Record:

23-21

Streak:

Lost six

Past 10 Games:

2-8

NEXT: Yankees (Phil Hughes, 2-3, 5.88) at Baltimore Orioles (Miguel Gonzalez, 2-2, 4.58)

Player Notes:

RHP Jim Johnson blew his third consecutive save by allowing a game-tying home run in the ninth inning Monday. Prior to the three blown opportunities in the past week, Johnson had converted a franchise-record 35 consecutive saves. Orioles manager Buck Showalter has not lost confidence in his closer. When asked whether Johnson would get the ball with the lead in the ninth tomorrow night, Showalter said, "Come back tomorrow and watch it again."
RHP Miguel Gonzalez will start Tuesday against the Yankees after being shut down since May 4 with a blister on his right thumb. Gonzalez threw a simulated game Friday at Orioles Park and did not report any discomfort so he was cleared to play. The Orioles will have to make a roster move when they activate Gonzalez from the DL on Tuesday.
2B Alexi Casilla was back in the lineup in place of Yamaico Navarro, who started the previous three games. Casilla has been solid against Yankees starter C.C. Sabathia, batting .583 (14-for-24) in his career against him. Casilla picked up another hit against Sabathia on Monday.
SS J.J. Hardy, who ended his 13-game hitting streak Sunday against Tampa Bay, was moved to third in the order. He has batted in the sixth or seventh spot this entire season. Hardy went 2-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI on Monday, raising his average to .240.
LHP Wei-Yin Chen, who is on the disabled list with a oblique strain, still won't be able to throw for at least a week. He will head to the Orioles spring training facility in Sarasota, Fla., on Tuesday to begin his rehab.
RHP Tim Bascom was activated by Double-A affiliate Bowie. He was expected to go to Mexico to pitch but chose to remain with the club. He started Monday night against Akron and was the Orioles' Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2011.
C Ronny Paulino signed a minor league deal with the Orioles on Monday and will report to extended spring training. He was released by the Mariners on March 30. Paulino played 20 games for the Orioles last season.

Quote To Note:

"Obviously I'm not getting the ball to where I need to be. I'll figure it out. There is no other option."

—RHP Jim Johnson, who blew his third consecutive save by allowing a game-tying home run to Travis Hafner in the ninth inning of Monday's 6-4 10-inning loss to the Yankees.

Medical Watch:

RHP Miguel Gonzalez (right thumb blister) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 4. He threw 35 pitches May 15, including seven without a bandage. He pitched in a simulated game at Camden Yards May 17. He is expected to be activated and start May 22.
LHP Wei-Yin Chen (strained right oblique) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 13. He won't be able to throw for at least a week but will report to the club's spring training complex in Sarasota, Fla., on May 22 to begin his rehab.
2B Brian Roberts (ruptured tendon in right knee) went on the 15-day disabled list April 5, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 18. He had surgery May 9 in Dallas and will be out until late June. He will have sutures from the procedure removed on May 20, according to MASNsports.com.
OF Nolan Reimold (right hamstring strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 12. The injury has hampered Reimold since spring training.
LHP Tsuyoshi Wada (left elbow surgery in May 2012) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22 and was transferred to the 60-day disabled list April 4. Wada threw three innings in an extended spring training game in Sarasota, Fla., on April 18 and four innings April 23. He's working on building up innings and expanding the number of pitches he throws per outing. He pitched three innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk May 16.
C Taylor Teagarden (dislocated left thumb) went on the 15-day disabled list April 28. He was examined by a hand specialist on April 30. He had the splint removed May 17. He will start baseball activities May 20, according to MASNsports.com.
DH Wilson Betemit (torn posterior cruciate ligament in right knee) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 12. He began jogging in a pool May 17. He could be out at least another six weeks.