Oscar

Salazar

Blanks is just 4-for-29 since April 20 with one homer and three RBI. He has fanned 18 times in those 29 at-bats and 32 times in 72 at-bats this season. Scott Hairston, Matt Stairs and Oscar Salazar will continue to see playing time in left field until Blanks regains his composure at the plate.

It was part of a double-steal, with Jerry Hairston Jr. taking third ahead of him. Still, it was a tough night for Bengie Molina. The Padres were 4-for-4 stealing, and Molina also had a couple of passed balls. Salazar, 31, was 0-for-2 stealing bases in 135 major league games. Oddly enough, that second caught stealing came courtesy of Molina on Monday.

No word on the severity of the injury. He’ll be replaced by Oscar Salazar.

The O’s lost Felix Pie to a throat injury Saturday night and Cesar Izturis hasn’t been placed on the disabled list, so there’s a severe need for depth in Baltimore. Salazar will be activated when Izturis is moved to the DL to serve as a backup infielder and outfielder.

Salazar replaces Cesar Izturis on the roster, but is unlikely to see much action.

Liz had allowed just one run in 4 1/3 innings since being sent to the pen, but since he has options left, he never had a real shot of making the team as a reliever. Montanez, who lost his spot when the Orioles added Ty Wigginton, goes down after hitting .340/.400/.420. Moore was also quite productive, batting .315/.351/.574.

Salazar has gone 12-for-31 with a couple of homers in his five weeks with the Orioles. He also produced during a late-season stint last year, hitting .284/.372/.506 in 81 at-bats, so he’s worth considering in AL-only leagues. His role would likely expand somewhat if Aubrey Huff or Ty Wigginton is dealt later this month.

Meredith’s star had fallen a long way, but it’s still stunning to see the rebuilding Padres part with him for a 31-year-old pinch-hitter. Maybe they think Salazar is a viable major league starter, but if he is, it’s at first or third, two positions the Padres should have covered going forward. They could try living with him at second for now with David Eckstein and Edgar Gonzalez sidelined, but he doesn’t have the range to turn into a fixture there. NL-only leaguers can consider picking him up for the short term.

“I think the market would indicate that they have greater value than just a waiver claim,” team president Andy MacPhail said. “I think it’s one of those things that there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is you have to make a roster decision and you have a limited amount of flexibility. The good news is that your extra players are getting to the point where they’re attractive to a lot of teams.” Both players are out of options. The Orioles need a roster spot with Cesar Izturis expected to return from the disabled list on Friday.

The team could either opt to trade or designate Felix Pie or Oscar Salazar for assignment, send David Hernandez to the minors, or place Aubrey Huff, who strained his groin on Wednesday, on the disabled list. Sending Hernandez down seems to make the most sense here. The Orioles won’t need a fifth starter again until after the All-Star break.