Larry

Bigbie

The left-handed hitting Bigbie has been in a bit of a slump lately (3-16) and has seen his average slip to .241. Darnell McDonald started in left field last night and went 3-4 with a run scored. Bigbie should be back in the lineup for the Orioles’ game on Friday, as the team does not play today.

Bigbie was pulled off his rehab assignment last week after suffering a setback. Once he is ready, he will probably head to Triple-A Ottawa until rosters expand in September.

It seems he has recovered from a groin muscle injury. Look for Bigbie to get plenty of at-bats in September as Baltimore’s primary center fielder.

He should be ready to return to action September 1st, the first day he is eligible to be activated off the disabled list.

Because giving the team’s best hitters fewer at-bats is always a good idea. Batting Mora second and Miguel Tejada third couldn’t have possibly worked out any better last season. Making changes for the sake of making changes is a sign of bad management.

The Orioles were concerned that Bigbie might have torn his labrum. Whether or not Bigbie will have much of a role when he returns will depend mostly on how Baltimore’s other outfielders produce.

At the time of Bigbie’s injury, manager Mike Hargrove wanted him to get some time in center field. Since then, Luis Matos has taken over the job and gotten hot. If Matos keeps it up, Bigbie won’t have much of a role when he returns in mid-June, though the Orioles would benefit more for the future by keeping him around than B.J. Surhoff.

Bigbie hasn’t played since Sunday.

The Orioles put Bigbie’s rehab assignment on hold and had him run Monday. The hamstring was improved but he was still feeling it.

When Bigbie does return, he may have to wait for an injury or a slump from one of the current starters to play full-time again.