SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Baltimore Orioles have one less option in right field. For now, anyway.
Jimmy Paredes walked into the Orioles clubhouse Friday morning wearing a plastic cast on his left wrist. The utility man injured the wrist diving for a ball in right field during the second inning of Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays in Port Charlotte.
“It’s a little sad because I came into the spring with the opportunity to make the team,” said Paredes.
Whether or not Paredes breaks camp with the team could depend on how long he’s on the shelf. The 27-year-old, who’s known more for his bat than his glove and who spent the offseason honing his outfield skills during winter ball in the Dominican Republic, confirmed that the wrist is not broken. He added that he doesn’t yet know how long he’ll have to wear the cast or when he’ll be able to return to action.
In the meantime, manager Buck Showalter will continue to evaluate his other right-field options. Dariel Alvarez, who started 10 games at the position after getting called up late last year, replaced Paredes on Thursday and is listed as the starting right fielder for Friday's game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. Henry Urrutia and Mark Trumbo started the first two games there, respectively. L.J. Hoes has also spent time in right, and utility man Ryan Flaherty and Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard figure to see action there as well.
Last season following the departure of Nick Markakis, who was the team’s primary right fielder for the previous nine years, the Orioles used 11 different players at the position.
