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ANAHEIM, California—Manager Brandon Hyde had hoped to have infielder Jordan Westburg back with the Orioles, but that’s going to have to wait. Westburg, who’s been on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring, was planning to play in rehab games with Triple-A Norfolk this weekend.
“The hammy’s still bothering him a little bit,” Hyde said. “We had to push him back a couple of days.”
There’s a chance Westburg, who went on the IL April 27th, will play in rehab games “later next week.”
Another infielder, Ramón Urías, whose right hamstring injury sent him to the IL, too, could return perhaps next week.
“Ramón’s doing really well,” Hyde said. “Westy might be a few days behind him.”
Tyler O’Neill has returned from his stay on the injured list. He’ll bat sixth and play right field on Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels. He played two rehab games with Norfolk to make sure his neck inflammation was no longer hindering him. He took a week off and didn’t work out.
“It was something I’ve been managing over the course of the year,” O’Neill said. “I went through a week stretch there where it was a really tough time, just moving around … specifically looking to my left. It was giving me a lot of grief. It just wouldn’t go away on its own. Our medical staff thought it would be best to take some time down and knock out the inflammation, and I’m feeling a lot better because of it now.”
O’Neill would like to give the 13-23 Orioles a spark after five consecutive losses.
“I don’t like missing games,” O’Neill said. “I want to be in the lineup with these guys, contributing how I can. I’m happy that I’m back now. Unfortunately, I had to take a little time, but the main thing is I’m feeling a lot better.”
To make room for O’Neill on the roster, the Orioles optioned Coby Mayo to Norfolk and kept Emmanuel Rivera, who’s batting ninth and playing third base.
“Manny’s been playing so well. Manny played great for us in September last year,” Hyde said. “Manny gives you above average defense, a cool customer at the plate and a great beard. Just a ton of confidence as a major league player.”
Mayo and Rivera both play first and third base, but Rivera’s hitting .400.
“Mayo’s going to be back at some point,” Hyde said. “We’ve got some guys coming back, hopefully soon.”
Colton Cowser, who’s on the 60-day injured list with a fractured left thumb, is on the trip and has increased the intensity of his drills.
“Just kind of starting out,” Hyde said. “Very light baseball activities, keeping his legs in shape, going to get the arm going pretty soon. He’s still a ways away.”
Cowser isn’t eligible to return until May 30th.
Catcher Gary Sánchez, who’s on the 10-day injured list with right wrist inflammation, is still several weeks away from returning.
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