BALTIMORE (AP) -Jay Payton is finally ready to make his belated debut with the Baltimore Orioles.
Payton was activated from the 15-day disabled list Friday after being sidelined by a strained left hamstring. The injury occurred while he was running from second base to third in an exhibition game against Minnesota on March 26.
Payton signed a two-year contract with the Orioles in December and had an excellent spring training before the mishap. After going 2-for-8 in a two-game rehabilitation stint with Triple-A Norfolk, the outfielder joined the Orioles at Camden Yards for the start of a seven-game homestand.
“It’s great. I was feeling good at the end of the spring right before I got hurt so it’s just very disappointing not being able to start the season on time,” he said. “I’m just happy to be back here now. The guys have been playing pretty good baseball and I’m just hoping I can contribute and help us keep winning.”
Payton was not in the starting lineup for Friday night’s game against Toronto.
“We’ll work him in, make sure he’s OK. But I don’t think I’d hesitate if I need to use him today,” Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo said. “We’ve been waiting for him for a while. It’s good to have him back.”
For Payton, it was like the season opener – without all the fanfare.
“It’s a little different because it’s a new team, a new organization I’m with, so in that respect it might feel a little bit like opening day for me, but it’s just baseball,” he said. “I’ve been doing it for a long time now. So, it’s just the same thing, different place.”
To make room for Payton, the Orioles optioned outfielder Jon Knott to Norfolk. Knott went 3-for-4 in two games; the outfielder hit his first big league homer as a pinch hitter and had two hits and scored twice as a starter against Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
“I really enjoyed starting, getting to contribute the whole game,” Knott said. “I had a good time up here. Hopefully I can come back up and contribute. … I’m just waiting for my chance.”
If nothing else, Knott made an impression on Perlozzo.
“The guy took advantage of an opportunity. He helped us win a game,” the manager said. “You look forward to seeing kids come up like that and produce for you.”
Now that they’ve got Payton back, the Orioles can turn their attention toward the long-awaited return of starting catcher Ramon Hernandez.
Hernandez has been on the disabled list since April 2 because of a strained muscle in his rib cage. He’s been taking batting practice with the team, and is almost ready to stoop behind the plate.
“We’ll evaluate him after today and decide if he just needs another BP day or needs a rehab assignment,” Perlozzo said.
Add A Comment