BALTIMORE — Mulling a difficult roster move to make room for starting pitcher Wade Miley, the Orioles instead saw the decision take care of itself with outfielder Joey Rickard injuring his left middle finger.
Baltimore placed Rickard on the 10-day disabled list Sunday after he sprained the finger sliding into second base on a stolen base attempt in the seventh inning of Saturday’s win. Buck Showalter said the hope is that Rickard will not miss more than the 10-day minimum and will not need a minor-league rehab assignment. The manager added that the new 10-day period for the DL from the former 15-day minimum made the decision easier instead of potentially waiting a few more days to see how Rickard’s finger would respond. The 25-year-old will travel with the Orioles to Boston as they begin a three-city road trip and is eligible to be activated as early as April 19 in Cincinnati.
Miley was activated from the 10-day DL to start against the New York Yankees in Sunday’s series finale.
Rickard’s injury leaves the Orioles with a conventional four-man bench after Showalter was able to have both an extra man on the bench and an eight-man bullpen with two off-days in the first week of the regular season. Miley’s activation claims one of those luxury spots, and the Orioles will need a fifth starter for the first time in Toronto next Saturday.
With Rickard now sidelined, veteran Craig Gentry was leading off and starting in left field against Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia on Sunday afternoon.
