Deshields

Cal Ripken's absence yesterday brought the expected change in the lineup, but manager Mike Hargrove took it a little further. Besides inserting Mark Lewis at third base again, which had been expected, Hargrove also dropped left fielder B.J. Surhoff from third to sixth in the order for the first time this season. Surhoff's spot was filled by Delino DeShields, who has been hitting second. DeShields hadn't batted third since May 29, 1996. With his club opposing a left-hander, Boston's Jeff Fassero, Hargrove decided to juggle his personnel.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Just as second baseman Delino DeShields insisted last week that getting acquainted with a new shortstop would be fairly routine this spring, Mike Bordick said he's had no problem gelling with DeShields."

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Delino DeShields dresses behind it, listens to music behind it and even plays second base behind it. Almost a year has passed since construction started on the wall that he believes will help him maintain focus while he plays in front of a fan base, media and even an organization that he believes rejected him long ago. Of all the encouraging offensive performances within the Orioles' surprising 10-5 start going into yesterday, DeShields'...

MINNEAPOLIS -- Second baseman Delino DeShields and left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes remained in Baltimore yesterday to undergo further examinations for conditions that have followed them for weeks and that may limit their availability for the rest of the season.Rhodes yesterday saw a hand specialist who examined his sore left index finger, injured more than two weeks ago in a game against the Chicago White Sox. DeShields will visit a doctor today in hopes of discovering the source of a left quadriceps injury.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- As a utility player, Rich Amaral makes his living being able to contribute at a moment's notice, shaking off the rust with each stride from the dugout. Steady playing time never comes, but it can't be used as an excuse for any period of struggles.In that sense, Amaral's spring has been good preparation for the season.Before starting in left field yesterday, he hadn't played since March 16 because of a strained lower back. Amaral had been hitting soft tosses in the cage the past few days, and took regular batting practice yesterday.

CHICAGO -- A trying season became even more difficult for Orioles second baseman Delino DeShields last night. While beating out an infield single in the fourth inning, DeShields just crumbled beyond the first base bag, clutching at his right hamstring.DeShields appeared to have suffered at least a significant pull. Trainer Richie Bancells and manager Ray Miller helped DeShields from the field. The player's right leg dragged as he was carried off.The injury was deemed "mild" as DeShields was classified as "day-to-day."

MINNEAPOLIS -- Having struggled with the unknown for almost two weeks, the Orioles have learned what they consider good news regarding second baseman Delino DeShields.While nothing can be done about the condition before season's end, DeShields is suffering from an entrapment of a nerve in his right quadriceps that causes numbness. The Orioles concede the condition is limiting but only temporary. Manager Ray Miller, assistant general manager Bruce Manno and head trainer Richie Bancells met yesterday before explaining the injury to reporters.

NEW YORK -- Designated hitter Harold Baines makes history the same way he plays the game -- quietly and .fficiently, with dignity but virtually without emotion. Perhaps that is why Wednesday night's career marker passed with barely a whisper.Or maybe it was the 14-7 beating administered by the New York Yankees. Baines contributed to the Orioles' five-run seventh inning by slamming a three-run homer off Hideki Irabu. That it was the 350th home run of Baines' brilliant but understated career was never mentioned to a Yankee Stadium crowd more intent on berating Irabu and Orioles right fielder Albert Belle than acknowledging a career moment.

Preferring to keep rookie Luis Matos at his natural position, manager Mike Hargrove started Brady Anderson in right field last night against the Florida Marlins. The move will be repeated on occasion as long as Matos, a natural center fielder, remains with the club. Anderson hadn't played right field since Aug. 5, 1994, in Milwaukee and had never appeared there at Camden Yards. He began taking fly balls in right during batting practice about five days ago to get acclimated to a position he has played 20 times since coming to the Orioles in 1988.