BALTIMORE — After showing clear discomfort in his final at-bat of Wednesday’s win over Minnesota, Orioles center fielder Adam Jones was out of the lineup for the final game of the series on Thursday.
Manager Buck Showalter said Jones is dealing with “discomfort in the rib cage area,” but no further testing had been ordered as of a few hours before Thursday’s game.
“Adam was a little sore in his rib area yesterday. He wants to play,” Showalter said. “He said he’s fine and is probably not happy with the old manager right now. I thought it’d be smart to give him a day. The only time it was a challenge for him was the last at-bat, because I asked him if he’s felt it before and was something nagging him [the last few days].”
According to FOX Sports, Jones is dealing with discomfort in his oblique, a problem that can often result in a trip to the disabled list for many players. The Orioles hope they’ve caught the problem in time, however.
Jones, 30, missed 25 games last year while dealing with shoulder, back, and ankle ailments at various points in the season. The five-time All-Star selection had missed a total of just five games in the previous three seasons.
“We’re not going to mention the [oblique] word,” Showalter said. “I’m hoping that it’s a one-day thing and we’re there tomorrow, but we’re not going to take a chance with it on April 7.”
Taking Jones’ place in center field on Thursday was Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard, who was also leading off for the first time in his major league career. Nolan Reimold was making his first start of the season in left.
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Below are Thursday night’s lineups:
MINNESOTA
2B Brian Dozier
RF Danny Santana
1B Joe Mauer
DH Miguel Sano
3B Trevor Plouffe
LF Eddie Rosario
SS Eduardo Escobar
C John Ryan Murphy
CF Byron Buxton
SP Phil Hughes (2015 stats: 11-9, 4.40 ERA)
BALTIMORE
CF Joey Rickard
LF Nolan Reimold
3B Manny Machado
1B Chris Davis
RF Mark Trumbo
SS J.J. Hardy
DH Pedro Alvarez
2B Jonathan Schoop
C Caleb Joseph
SP Ubaldo Jimenez (2015 stats: 12-10, 4.11 ERA)
