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Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen (pictured) was on his way to his second strong performance in a row when he grabbed at his side and exited Sunday's game with a right oblique strain. That's very bad news for a team that already has called on four Triple-A starters to fill in the fifth slot in the rotation and replace injured Miguel Gonzalez. It was a tough week already, after so-so outings by Jason Hammel, Freddy Garcia and Steve Johnson, and that was reflected in the combined numbers. The rotation posted a 2-2 record with a 6.03 ERA and averaged just five innings per start. Even though the team managed to go 4-2 in those games, this is starting to get scary.
Grade: D (Hannah Foslien / Getty Images /May 12, 2013)
The 23-year-old Hoes hit .320 (8-for-25) in 16 games with the Orioles this spring. More than anything, the converted infielder opened eyes with his outfield defense.
“I think the thing I was most impressed with is how far he came defensively. He played a good outfield here,” Showalter said. “He’s been good, He was really good defensively.”
Hoes, who Baseball America ranks as the sixth best prospect in the Orioles system, appeared in two games with the Orioles last year, getting one official at-bat, He is targeted for Triple-A Norfolk, where he hit .300 in 82 games as a 22-year-old.
“The guy hit .300 last year. You know how many guys hit .300 last year in the International League? Take a look at it, not many. Not many at all,” Showalter said. “We are excited about him.”
The Orioles now have 48 players in camp.
