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. It wasn't until watching him hit that manager Ray Miller replaced Mike Murphy with Amaral in the lineup.

Batting ninth, Amaral ran stiffly to first on a bouncer to Montreal shortstop Orlando Cabrera, then was replaced in left by Murphy in the Orioles' 7-6 loss to Montreal in their final game this spring at Fort Lauderdale Stadium.

"I didn't see anything negative," Miller said. "I just wanted to give him one at-bat, let him play three innings in left and get him out of there."

Amaral said his back has been "getting better slowly." His spring average will have to do the same. He's hitting .235 (4-for-17) in 10 games.

"I don't like going into the season with five games left and I've got to try to get in game shape, but it's part of my job, to be able to hit after not playing for a while," he said. "I feel like I can go out and make contact.

"I've been getting a lot of work in on the side without playing games. That's what I rely on during the year, too. It's been the same with this situation."

Amaral has been doing some new exercises to strengthen his back, and will continue them throughout the season.

DeShields back to main field

Delino DeShields took ground balls at second base for the third straight day as he steps up his return to full workouts. He hasn't played since fracturing his left thumb in a March 4 intrasquad game.

Third base coach Sam Perlozzo said DeShields had worked out "extremely long and hard" on one of the back fields Monday. He moved to the main field for the first time yesterday.

"Defensively, he's right on it," said Perlozzo, who works with the infielders. "Offensively, I think that will be the last thing to come for him. He's a couple days away from going full-tilt."

The most uncomfortable portion of the infield drills came when Perlozzo, standing at third base, threw to DeShields covering second to simulate a double play. The ball came in below the waist and caught DeShields in the same portion of the glove where the injury occurred.

"That was the only problem," Perlozzo said. "Otherwise, he can take ground balls that are hit firm and to both sides."

Said DeShields: "I want to be comfortable catching the ball and not have to make crazy adjustments."

DeShields said he'll take batting practice tomorrow, four weeks after the injury.

"I'm just trying to get back on the field," he said. "I think I can help."

Miller said he expects DeShields to be ready once eligible to come off the disabled list. The move can be made retroactive 10 days from the start of the season.

Filling in

Eugene Kingsale, Augie Ojeda and Johnny Isom were summoned from the minor-league camp in Sarasota, Fla., to make up for the absence of three players who flew to Baltimore late Monday for Cal Ripken Sr.'s funeral in Aberdeen.

Chris Hoiles, B. J. Surhoff and Harold Baines attended services for Ripken Sr., who died Thursday of lung cancer. General manager Frank Wren, coaches Eddie Murray, Elrod Hendricks, Terry Crowley and Tim Bishop, and trainer Richie Bancells also left the club. The newcomers will stay with the Orioles through Friday's exhibition game in Atlanta.

"I'd give anything in the world to be there. I should probably be there more than anybody," Miller said of the memorial service. "But I told Frank if we have to make player moves that I didn't think it was right -- nor did I think Cal would think it was right -- that someone else tells somebody after you've been here for six weeks. That's why I didn't go."

Cal Jr. is expected to rejoin the team today.

Pink slip in Easter basket?

Miller said he hopes to make final cuts before Easter Sunday, when the Orioles may conduct an afternoon workout at Camden Yards leading into Opening Day.

"But it might come down to that," he added.

There are 36 players left on the spring roster, including newly acquired pitcher Jason Johnson, who is scheduled to pitch today against the Florida Marlins in Viera. Johnson was acquired from Tampa Bay for outfielder Danny Clyburn and a player to be named. The total also includes Kingsale, Ojeda and Isom, who will go back to the minor-league camp.

Johnson, infielder Esteban Beltre, catcher Tommy Davis and outfielder Mike Murphy are expected to begin the season at Triple-A Rochester.

Right-hander David Evans also seems likely to join the Red Wings, and Doug Linton could accompany him if Miller goes with 11 pitchers. DeShields and Scott Kamieniecki, who isn't scheduled to throw because of a tight hamstring, probably will land on the disabled list.

Pub Date: 3/31/99