For Jay Gibbons, his impending shoulder surgery means he?ll miss the remainder of the season and face questions about his future in the major leagues. But for the Orioles, Gibbons? season-ending procedure signifies a greater dilemma.
Gibbons, 30, has been unable to play the outfield after tearing the labrum in his left shoulder while diving to make a catch in late May. He will undergo surgery Tuesday in Cincinnati in the first step of a lengthy rehabilitation process.
“Injuries happen and when I did this, I knew something was eventually going to come to a head,” Gibbons said. “I have to have the surgery now because I have to allow it the proper time to heal.”
Gibbons, who was batting .230 with six home runs and 28 RBI in 83 games entering Sunday, did not blame the injury for a down year. He was not in the starting lineup yesterday against Boston.
Though Gibbons and team officials said they expect the seven-year veteran to be ready for spring training, the Orioles must immediately find someone to take the left-handed hitter?s roster spot for the final seven weeks of the season.
The Orioles have options. They could recall a hitter from Triple-A Norfolk, which features Jon Knott, Mike Cervenak and J.R. House. However, the Orioles could promote a highly-touted prospect from Double-A Bowie, such as Jeff Fiorentino or Nolan Reimold.
With Gibbons going on the 60-day disabled list, the club would have a spot open on the 40-man roster, enabling a simpler recall of Cervenak, House or Reimold ? none of whom is on the 40-man roster.
A decision will likely be made prior to tonight?s game in New York against the Yankees, according to interim manager Dave Trembley.
“There are a couple possibilities,” Trembley said. “I?ll be tipping my hand if I tell you. I think there are some possibilities. I?ve got to wait until I talk to [team president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail] after the game.”
Cervenak is second in the International League with 129 hits, and House is batting .296 for the Tides. Reimold, 23, was 14-for-38 with three home runs and seven RBI in his first nine games since returning from an injured oblique that sidelined him nearly three months.
The Orioles also could make an addition from outside the organization by claiming a player off waivers.
CAMDEN YARDS OR FENWAY SOUTH?: Red Sox Nation descended upon Oriole Park at Camden Yards over the weekend, filling the ballpark at a record rate.
Sunday?s crowd of 48,551 brought the three-game series total to 146,786, breaking the previous three-game series record of 144,784 ? set against Cleveland from August 21-23, 1998. Sunday?s game was the seventh sell-out of the season.
