Ryan

Adams

Adams made semi-regular starts in 29 games for the Orioles last season before undergoing sports hernia surgery this offseason. It’s not unrealistic to think he could return to the majors at some point in 2012.

Adams was outrighted off the Orioles’ 40-man roster in September, but he was still on the roster at the time of the test. The 25-year-old infielder played exclusively in the minors this year, but appeared in 29 games with the O’s last season.

The move cleared a spot on the 40-man roster. Adams, who appeared in 29 games with the Orioles last season, batted just .224/.312/.353 with four homers and a .665 OPS in 65 games with Triple-A Norfolk this year.

Adams was designated for assignment earlier this week but has cleared waivers and will remain in the organization.

It’s an injury Adams has dealt with all season, though it was originally diagnosed as a groin injury. “It’s just not getting any better and I talked to [manager Buck Showalter], and it was just one of those things, ‘Why wait another week? Why not just get it done now?’” Adams said. The recovery period for the procedure isn’t long, and Adams should be fine by spring training.

Surgery isn’t scheduled yet, but the O’s could eventually decide to shut him down. Adams, 24, is batting .281/.333/.326 with four doubles, seven RBI and a .659 OPS over 96 plate appearances with the O’s this season.

Adams hit just .224/.312/.353 with four homers in 2012 with the Orioles’ Triple-A affiliate and didn’t play at all last season. He’s merely a depth add.

Adams was released by the Dodgers earlier this month, so he’ll begin serving the suspension once he latches on with a new organization. The 27-year-old hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2011 and is strictly minor league fodder at this point in his career.

Well, one does have to be pretty consistent in order to make 30 errors in 47 games. Adams is batting .291/.350/.436, which isn’t so bad for a 21-year-old in the Sally League. However, if he’s not going to make it as a second baseman, then he’s not going to make it.

Don’t put Adams among your sleeper picks just yet, this isn’t likely to last long. However, with Brian Roberts still recovering from his herniated disc, Justin Turner resting a bruised left foot, and Caesar Izturis out with a sore throat, the O’s needed a warm body and Adams fits that description.