Reality: Nolan Reimold was scratched from yesterday’s game and was said to be headed to the DL.
Perception: It looks like it’s going to be another frustrating season for Reimold. He has so much potential, but just cannot stay healthy.
According to Roch Kubatko of MASN:
Manager Buck Showalter stressed that Reimold didn’t experience a setback. He can bat without restrictions, but still has difficulty tilting his head to track fly balls. Showalter said Reimold, who will take off a couple of days, is “light years ahead” of where he’s been physically. “We’re trying to get him all the way healthy,” Showalter said. “Nolan agrees this is the right thing to do.”
I’m not sure how a guy starting on the DL can be “light years ahead” of last year, but I’ll trust Buck. Thankfully, the O’s have plenty of other options.
With that move, it appears that Steve Pearce and Delmon Young will both make the Opening Day roster, as Steve Johnson and Henry Urrutia were optioned back to Norfolk, along with Quintin Berry and Alexi Casilla.
Reality: The Orioles now have 36 players at their Major League Camp, including a couple non-roster invitees.
Perception: They have to remove 11 more players by the end of the weekend. Seven will be easy as Manny Machado, Nolan Reimold, Johan Santana, Michael Almanzar, Francisco Peguero, and Edgmer Escalona will go on the disabled list, while Troy Patton goes on the suspension list. So four more cuts still need to happen.
All indications point to Jonathan Schoop starting the season in Norfolk with Ryan Flaherty, Jemile Weeks, and Steve Lombardozzi making the team. That leaves three more to be removed from the 25-man roster… most likely all pitchers. But that’s where the struggle is.
Options to be cut could be T.J, McFarland, Evan Meek, Alfredo Aceves, Kevin Gausman, Josh Stinson, Mike Belfiore, Zach Britton, and Brian Matusz. However, Stinson, Britton, and Matusz have pitched well and are out of options, so they look to make the team.
So that leaves McFarland, Meek, Aceves, Gausman, or Belfiore… three of whom need to be cut. It won’t be easy. A few weeks ago, Meek would have been an easy cut, but he has pitched in 7 games this spring and has done extremely well. He has three saves, and in 8.0 innings of work, he has given up just two hits, one earned run, and struck out eight with a WHIP of 0.25. He still may get cut, but he’s pitched the best of the group.
And before you ask, Dan Connelly of the Baltimore Sun tweeted:
For those asking about Evan Meek closing or Gausman closing or Britton closing. Hunter is Os closer. OK? May change in-season, but not now
— Dan Connolly (@danconnollysun) March 26, 2014
We should expect more cuts to be made, though manager Buck Showalter indicated that the roster may need additional work beyond today. He keeps hinting at a possible trade or claim by saying that the Orioles have lots of irons in the fire and are checking on what’s happening in the baseball world.
Reality: We pretty much know the starters, but the line-up is still to be decided.
Perception: Matt Wieters behind the plate with Steve Clevenger as his back-up. Chris Davis at first base. Steve Lombardozzi and Ryan Flaherty at second and third, respectively. JJ Hardy at shortstop. David Lough in left field, Adam Jones in center, and Nick Markakis in right, with Nelson Cruz, Delmon Young, and Steve Pierce rotating in LF, DH, and off the bench. Everyone has their own opinions on what the O’s lineup should be, so here are two of my options:
1. Nick Markakis RF
2. David Lough LF
3. Chris Davis 1B
4. Adam Jones CF
5. Nelson Cruz DH
6. JJ Hardy SS
7. Matt Wieters C
8. Ryan Flaherty 3B
9. Steve Lombardozzi 2B
OR
1. Nick Markakis RF
2. Ryan Flaherty 3B
3. Chris Davis 1B
4. Adam Jones CF
5. Nelson Cruz DH
6. Matt Wieters C
7. J.J. Hardy SS
8. Davis Lough LF
9. Steve Lombardozzi 2B
photo: Craig Landefeld
