Luis

Matos

“I’m running fine,” he said. “I can start playing right now.” Unless the Orioles trade Jerry Hairston Jr., Matos likely will have to compete for playing time in center field.

Matos was great in 2003, hitting .303/.353/.458 with 13 homers, 45 RBI, 70 runs, and 15 steals in 109 games, but the rest of his resume isn’t very impressive. His minor league career was mediocre, he has hit just .253/.307/.381 in 318 total big-league games, and he’ll be 26 years old in 2005.

Matos, 24, is strong defensively. If he hits, he’ll keep a job. So far so good, as he was hitting .303 with 21 extra-base hits at Triple-A Ottawa, and is 7-for-14 with one stolen base through his first three games in Baltimore. He’s worth adding in AL-only leagues.

Matos probably won’t be in the starting lineup today, but he could be available to pinch run.

The Matos injury exposes a lack of depth in the Oriole outfield. Larry Bigbie will move over for the time being. Melvin Mora is locked in at third base.

Larry Bigbie moved to center with B.J. Surhoff in left. Manager Lee Mazzilli said the scuffling Matos would be back in the lineup today.

That’s the same amount Matos made last season. If the Orioles keep Jerry Hairston Jr., he and Matos will battle for playing time in center field next season.

Matos will have a rod inserted into his right tibia within the next two weeks and will not be in a position to play baseball until late November at the earliest. He has played most of the season with the injury. We now know why he hit a paltry .224 in 89 games.

A metal rod was inserted into the shin, and Matos will be on crutches for the next 10-14 days. He hopes to play a little baseball over the winter, although it will be about three months before Matos is able to run again. Barring any complications, Matos should be ready for spring training next season.

In his last four games Matos is 8-for-15, and has raised his batting average to .263. He has also clubbed three homers in his last seven games. It looks as if manager Lee Mazzilli’s patience with his center fielder is being rewarded. We hope you were also patient with Matos.