Orioles left fielder Nolan Reimold hit a long home run in Friday’s win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in Sarasota but followed it with another health scare by leaving the game with right shoulder soreness in the second inning.
The 29-year-old was removed from action following his first home run of the spring in the bottom of the second inning. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters he does not believe the soreness is related to the spinal fusion surgery Reimold underwent last June and the shoulder has only been sore when he throws.
Reimold will apparently take a few days off from throwing, meaning he could still serve as the designated hitter while he rests his right shoulder. The left fielder continues to build strength in his left shoulder after being declared full-go at the start of spring training.
The Orioles will likely play it safe with Reimold’s shoulder as he was already assured by Showalter that he will be a part of the 25-man roster if he is healthy at the end of spring training.
After playing in just 16 April games before eventually undergoing season-ending surgery a year ago, Reimold is trying to prove he’s again healthy and capable of beating out Nate McLouth for the starting left fielder job. However, the Orioles are also unsettled at the designated hitter spot with veteran Wilson Betemit only expected to play against right-handed starters, meaning Reimold could also be used in that capacity in an effort to keep him healthy.
