He played in just 90 games in 2006, hitting .277 with 13 homers and 46 RBIs. Last year, he batted .230 with six home runs and 28 RBIs in 84 games.
Gibbons also learned in December that he would be suspended for the season's first 15 days for violating Major League Baseball's substance-abuse prevention program. The suspension is under review, and Gibbons, who admitted using human growth hormone, had been eligible to play on Opening Day. But that's now a moot point, at least for the Orioles.
"Obviously, this winter wasn't easy on any of us, but I kind of would have liked if he had gotten a chance to redeem himself," said Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, Gibbons' closest friend on the team. "He wants to play baseball. Nobody who is 30 and has played this game this long wants to quit. "
Roberts said he was surprised by the decision, as were several other Orioles, who learned about it yesterday before the start of their final workout before today's season opener against the Tampa Bay Rays.
"It's always emotional, because it's like one of your family members, but you understand when you look around the roster," first baseman Kevin Millar said. "You look at the at-bat situation and it was going to be tough for Jay to get the at-bats. It's just a numbers game. You understand the situation, but you feel bad for Jay. "
Gibbons said he got emotional when saying goodbye to several members of the organization.
"What people don't realize is you spend 7 1/2 months with these guys, and they do become a family," Gibbons said. "It's just sad to be leaving the Orioles family. I'm feeling a lot of mixed emotions, sadness and relief."
Gibbons sealed his fate with a poor spring in which he hit just .189 with no homers and four RBIs. It didn't help that the players ahead of him, starting left fielder Luke Scott and regular designated hitter Aubrey Huff, also were left-handed hitters.
Knowing Gibbons' popularity in the clubhouse, Moore offered a muted reaction to making an Opening Day roster for the first time. He hit .333 this spring with a homer and five RBIs, and can play three infield spots and be an emergency outfielder.
"Every spring training, even if you know the odds are against you, you hope to go out there and show them you can play, and you always hope that there's a chance to be on the Opening Day roster," Moore said. "It feels good. I'm excited. "
jeff.zrebiec@baltsun.com
Sun reporters Roch Kubatko and Peter Schmuck contributed to this article.
