O’s Roberts plans to be ready for opener
March 10, 2010
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP)—Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts(notes) saidWednesday he is better, two days after feeling ill. He said he wasn’t sure ifthe illness was due to a medication given during his rehabilitation for a backinjury.
Roberts, who led the American League with 56 doubles last season, has yet toplay this spring. To speed his recuperation from the back injury, Oriolesmedical personnel gave him some medication on Sunday. On Monday night, hereported feeling ill.
Roberts said he hopes to resume some baseball activities on Thursday.
On Tuesday, Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said heexpected Roberts to be ready for Opening Day on Apr. 6, but admitted concern.
Roberts said he thought the situation wasn’t ideal but he’d be ready for theteam’s first game.
“It’s not ideal,” Roberts said, “but I’m not concerned about missingOpening Day yet.”
Orioles manager Dave Trembley said he’d like to get Roberts between 25-30at-bats before the season opener. Roberts has no idea when he’ll be ready.
“I’d rather be fully healthy and get 15 at-bats than try to push it and get30 at-bats and start off less than 100 percent,” Roberts said.
“We still have three-and-a-half weeks, so I’m certainly not in panicmode.”
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