Adam Jones has been extremely durable since he came to the Orioles. He became an everyday player for the Birds in 2008 when he played in 132 games. He played in 119 in 2009, then in at least 149 every year from 2010-14 before missing 25 games last season with a sprained ankle in June, then after running into a wall pretty hard in Kansas City in August.
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As the Grapefruit League season wound down, some O’s fans noticed what could have been an ominous sign after Jones dove for a fly ball on March 26:
Adam Jones stretched out his shoulder after diving on Mookie Betts' single. #Orioles in trouble if that's still bothering him this year.
— Avi Miller ???? (@AviMiIIer) March 26, 2016
Hopefully nothing, but perhaps something.
Jones was, of course, in the lineup on Opening Day and again last night – it’s going to take more than a sore shoulder to keep him from going out there to grind for his teammates and his city. Unfortunately, it looks like he’s still being bothered by that shoulder a bit more than perhaps he wants to admit:
Adam Jones Shoulder Watch pic.twitter.com/yuOhqElixU
— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) April 7, 2016
(#StickToCrime)
That was after a strikeout to end the eighth inning on Wednesday night. He stayed in the game for the top of the ninth. After the game, Buck Showalter wasn’t letting on that he knew anything:
Asked about Adam Jones after the game, Buck Showalter wasn't aware of anything being wrong with him. #Orioles
— Luke Jones (@BaltimoreLuke) April 7, 2016
Jones appeared uncomfortable after K in 8th, but Buck said after game he wasn't aware of any injury. #orioles
— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) April 7, 2016
Here’s hoping that, first off, Adam is OK. However, if he’s not, let’s hope that it’s nothing a stint on the 15-day DL can’t clear up, should it come to that. Joey Rickard could move over to centerfield if need be, and the O’s have a gaggle of outfielders with major league experience at Norfolk who they could call up (should Buck still want to keep Hyun-Soo Kim glued to the bench) for depth.
The thought here is that it would be much preferable for the team to deal with Jones being absent for a couple weeks here in April than to see this maybe-injury linger throughout the season.
Get healthy, AJ.
