Utility Infielder

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The Orioles' plan for their everyday lineup was dramatically complicated yesterday when second baseman Delino DeShields suffered a fractured left thumb during an afternoon intrasquad game.The freak injury occurred during the third inning when DeShields gloved a line drive from outfield prospect Luis Matos. The break occurred in the bone below the knuckle, according to general manager Frank Wren.Orioles officials estimate DeShields' hand will remain in a cast for three to four weeks, with two to three weeks after that devoted to rehabilitation, meaning backup Jeff Reboulet graduates to probable second baseman on Opening Day, which is 4 1/2 weeks away.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- For a utility infielder who often jokes about his limited playing time, Jeff Reboulet sure has a knack for finding his way into the Opening Day lineup.If happened in 1997 when second baseman Roberto Alomar was slapped with a five-game suspension to begin the season. And it could happen again next month, at the same position but for a different player and reason.With Delino DeShields out five to seven weeks with a broken thumb, Reboulet will be the starting second baseman today in the Orioles' exhibition opener against Minnesota in Fort Myers.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The most convincing testimonial to the value of utility infielder Jeff Reboulet comes from an unusual source -- the manager of the team that chose not to re-sign him.Reboulet wanted to return to the Minnesota Twins this year, but when it became apparent that he would not get that chance, he signed with the Orioles, and probably will fill in for suspended second baseman Roberto Alomar in the Opening Day lineup.Twins manager Tom Kelly did not openly question the organizational decision to let him go, but he clearly appreciated the contribution Reboulet made to his team.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Bill Ripken hustled to second base for the throw, then whipped the ball to first for the double play."Amazing, isn't he?" Brady Anderson said, watching the late innings of the Orioles-Dodgers game on the clubhouse television Tuesday."

They're so desperate in New York that George Steinbrenner is said to be interested in signing Darryl Strawberry and Doc Gooden in an attempt to rehabilitate the Yankees.In Toronto, the natives are becoming increasingly restless and disinterested in a team that would be lost without David Cone.And in good old Baltimore, there are indications that owner Peter Angelos is being encouraged to add another superstar, somebody like Kirby Puckett or Barry Bonds, to his collection. No matter that it would take all of the cream from the minor-league system, and even some from the big-league level.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A week ago, Orioles pitching coach Mike Flanagan hung a chart on the wall of the coaches' office in the Huggins-Stengel Complex. Down the left side, he wrote in the names of his striking pitchers. Fernandez. McDonald. Mussina.On the rest of the chart, he planned to write in, with a black felt marker, the day-by-day workout of each pitcher. "I was feeling optimistic," Flanagan said.The chart, of course, is blank, other than those names.A week remains before the Orioles' minor-leaguers break camp, and there is much that Phil Regan does not know about his team.

Enough of this nonsense already. Just get on with it.Give us some action, not talk. No more petty schemes, such as withholding pension funds, or quibbling over $7.8 million when the issues involve billions of dollars.Forget the knee-jerk proposal of a fan boycott -- that only hurts the little guy who has already bought a ticket. If this baseball season is worth saving -- and enough spectacular things are going to suggest it is -- herewith is presented a two-fold plan guaranteed to avert a strike, or at the least avoid a long-term stoppage.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Just when it looked as if they were ready to clarify the situation, the Orioles added another piece to their right-field puzzle yesterday.Utility infielder Steve Scarsone was traded to the San Francisco Giants for Mark Leonard, a left-handed hitting outfielder with impressive minor-league credentials. General manager Roland Hemond and manager Johnny Oates both said Leonard would be given a chance in the next two weeks to win a regular job.The trade was made barely 48 hours after Oates said he was satisfied with the candidates he had in right field.

Mark McLemore came to spring training looking for an opportunity, but he didn't know until yesterday whether it was real or imagined. He has been through this before.The Orioles offered him a chance to make the club as a utility infielder. They offered him a chance to prove he could still be the solid all-round player that made him one of the hottest prospects in the California Angels organization a few years ago. They offered him a chance to keep his baseball career alive, but not until yesterday could he be sure the offer was sincere.

Jack Morris can expect a mixed reaction tomorrow when he stands on the mound at Tiger Stadium.There will be the die-hard Tigers fans who still haven't forgiven the 36-year-old for leaving Detroit after 13 seasons to sign with the Minnesota Twins two winters ago. Others will greet him with a sentimental cheer, remembering his two victories over the San Diego Padres in Detroit's 1984 World Series victory.Then there will be the always-boisterous Toronto Blue Jays contingent from southwestern Ontario, welcoming their new addition with open arms.

A night after being so short-handed that he needed utility infielder Robert Andino to play center field for just the second time in his career, Orioles manager Dave Trembley's bench was back to full strength. That meant All-Star Adam Jones returned to the lineup for the first time since Sunday after being held out because of back soreness. Felix Pie, who had started five straight games in center field in Jones' absence, was available for Saturday night's game after being removed Friday with tightness in his left hamstring, though he didn't start with left-hander Jeremy Sowers on the mound for the Cleveland Indians.

DETROIT -- Ideally, Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo wouldn't need first-year closer Chris Ray for anything more than a three-out save. The reality of the situation, however, is that Ray has been far and away the Orioles' top reliever, and when the game is on the line, Perlozzo feels that Ray is his best option, even if it is the eighth inning. With LaTroy Hawkins unavailable for the past two weeks, Ray has been asked to get more than three outs in five of his past six save opportunities. He has blown two saves during that span, but in both of those failed conversions, including Thursday night against the Boston Red Sox, he inherited base runners.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Sal Fasano is ready to concede defeat. Orioles manager Lee Mazzilli probably won't name a backup catcher until after the Orioles break camp and head to Oklahoma later this week, one of the few remaining issues with his 25-man roster. He also must choose a utility infielder. Those two decisions seem to be all that remain for Mazzilli among position players, though he still has to name a fifth starter for the rotation and align his bullpen. "I'm not 100 percent sure on that," he said, "but I have a pretty good idea where I want to go."

VIERA, Fla. -- Without naming names, Orioles manager Mike Hargrove said last night that the club has decided upon its fifth starter. The lack of further comment suggests veteran left-handed reliever Chuck McElroy has earned the berth over rookie Willis Roberts, barring an 11th-hour trade. Several teams have followed the Orioles' left-handers this spring. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates are among the most interested, but would project McElroy in relief. Roberts, acquired as a minor-league free agent and in camp as a nonroster invitee, apparently will make the club as a reliever, but is positioned to join the rotation if McElroy is dealt.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Steve Sisco's locker looks like it would belong to a utility infielder, which is how he makes a living. He points to a first baseman's mitt laying on a top shelf, along with the assorted gloves he uses at second and third. Or at shortstop. Or left field. Or behind the plate. He's pretty much done it all except pitch, and it would be wise to keep an eye on him during the next 15-0 game. Sisco, 31, is trying to make the Orioles' roster as a backup middle infielder, where a need exists after the club failed to re-sign Mark Lewis.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- For a utility infielder who often jokes about his limited playing time, Jeff Reboulet sure has a knack for finding his way into the Opening Day lineup.If happened in 1997 when second baseman Roberto Alomar was slapped with a five-game suspension to begin the season. And it could happen again next month, at the same position but for a different player and reason.With Delino DeShields out five to seven weeks with a broken thumb, Reboulet will be the starting second baseman today in the Orioles' exhibition opener against Minnesota in Fort Myers.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The Orioles' plan for their everyday lineup was dramatically complicated yesterday when second baseman Delino DeShields suffered a fractured left thumb during an afternoon intrasquad game.The freak injury occurred during the third inning when DeShields gloved a line drive from outfield prospect Luis Matos. The break occurred in the bone below the knuckle, according to general manager Frank Wren.Orioles officials estimate DeShields' hand will remain in a cast for three to four weeks, with two to three weeks after that devoted to rehabilitation, meaning backup Jeff Reboulet graduates to probable second baseman on Opening Day, which is 4 1/2 weeks away.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The most convincing testimonial to the value of utility infielder Jeff Reboulet comes from an unusual source -- the manager of the team that chose not to re-sign him.Reboulet wanted to return to the Minnesota Twins this year, but when it became apparent that he would not get that chance, he signed with the Orioles, and probably will fill in for suspended second baseman Roberto Alomar in the Opening Day lineup.Twins manager Tom Kelly did not openly question the organizational decision to let him go, but he clearly appreciated the contribution Reboulet made to his team.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Bill Ripken hustled to second base for the throw, then whipped the ball to first for the double play."Amazing, isn't he?" Brady Anderson said, watching the late innings of the Orioles-Dodgers game on the clubhouse television Tuesday."

They're so desperate in New York that George Steinbrenner is said to be interested in signing Darryl Strawberry and Doc Gooden in an attempt to rehabilitate the Yankees.In Toronto, the natives are becoming increasingly restless and disinterested in a team that would be lost without David Cone.And in good old Baltimore, there are indications that owner Peter Angelos is being encouraged to add another superstar, somebody like Kirby Puckett or Barry Bonds, to his collection. No matter that it would take all of the cream from the minor-league system, and even some from the big-league level.