BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles placed second baseman Brian Roberts on the 15-day disabled list Monday rather than wait several days for him to recover from a strained abdominal muscle.
The move, announced Monday, is retroactive to April 10.
“What he communicated to us is it’s going to be five or six or seven days,” manager Dave Trembley said. “It was thought that this early in the year, instead of going that route, let’s just back it up and take the 15 days and hopefully get it cleared up totally.”
Roberts hasn’t played since Friday, when he hurt himself while stealing second base in the first inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays. The two-time All-Star also missed most of spring training with a herniated disk in his back.
“They told me it was an abdominal strain,” Trembley said. “I don’t if there’s something else going on with the back issue. I’m not sure about that.”
Roberts received an MRI exam on Monday, according to Trembley. The results were not immediately available.
The Orioles filled Roberts’ spot on the roster by recalling infielder Justin Turner from Triple-A Norfolk. Turner hit .344 in 16 spring training games with Baltimore.
“I had just gotten unpacked in my apartment in Norfolk. Then I had to pack it all back up and head out,” Turner said. “But it’s always nice to be up here.”
Turner made his debut with the Orioles last Sept. 8. He went 3 for 18 in 12 games.
Roberts played in Baltimore’s first four games this season and is batting .143. He has long been a key contributor at the top of the lineup.
“Obviously, it is a major loss. We’re going to have to pick up the pieces and fill in as best we can,” Trembley said. “He’s very valuable to the club. The guy that sets the tone for us offensively. You can’t replace it.”
Trembley said Roberts will not accompany the team on a seven-game trip to the West Coast that begins Thursday.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
