Saying he's fine, Tejada is eager to start rehab

The Baltimore Sun

The latest examination of shortstop Miguel Tejada's fractured left wrist brought encouraging news to the Orioles, who are hopeful he can begin baseball-related activities within the next few days.

"They told me I'm fine," said Tejada, who was examined Wednesday in Baltimore. "Everything now will go day by day."

Tejada said he wants to hit soft tosses today or tomorrow, but he's more likely to hit off a tee first if the medical staff clears him. He'll also throw and run some.

"I don't know when that progression will begin, but I know it's close," interim manager Dave Trembley said. "I think he'll be doing that stuff by the weekend."

Once Tejada went on the disabled list June 22, ending his consecutive-games streak at 1,152, the Orioles projected he would need a month before attempting to swing a bat. But that no longer appears to be the case.

He played catch yesterday with his 5-year-old son, Miguel, and said he's ready to do his "training work."

"I can be back sooner," he said.

Baez activated from DL

Now that reliever Danys Baez has regained his health, he'll attempt to reclaim his job as the Orioles' eighth-inning setup man.

The Orioles activated Baez from the 15-day disabled list yesterday and optioned left-hander Kurt Birkins to Triple-A Norfolk. Baez made three appearances with Double-A Bowie on an injury rehab assignment and said he no longer feels discomfort in his right forearm.

"My arm feels great, and I'm glad to be with the team today," said Baez, who allowed a bases-empty home run and three hits in four innings with Bowie. "I'm very excited about it."

The time away from the Orioles also might have helped Baez mentally. His confidence was shaken while losing all four decisions and compiling a 6.52 ERA.

"I feel more confident now with my pitches, and there's no pain, no soreness, no tightness or anything. Everything's fine," he said before pitching a 1-2-3 ninth last night. "So far, everything's good in my arm and I'm getting ready for the second half."

Birkins is 0-1 with a 10.00 ERA in four games, spread over three stints with the Orioles.

Trachsel at Frederick

Still on the disabled list with a strained gluteus muscle, pitcher Steve Trachsel will make a rehab start tomorrow at Single-A Frederick. He'll oppose Lynchburg in a 6:30 p.m. game at Harry Grove Stadium.

Trachsel threw on the side Wednesday at Frederick, so he's somewhat familiar with the ballpark. He hasn't appeared in a Single-A game since 1991 while pitching in the Chicago Cubs' system.

"I feel good," he said. "I threw off the worst mound I've thrown off in 15 years at Frederick, so if I didn't tweak it then, I should be fine."

Trachsel, who's 5-6 with a 4.95 ERA, will approach tomorrow's assignment like "a regular game."

"It could be 80 [pitches], it could be 100," he said.

Around the horn

The Orioles officially released Scott Williamson yesterday after designating the reliever for assignment last week. ... Third baseman Melvin Mora returned to the lineup for the first time since bruising his left foot July 1, but he left the game after the first inning with recurring soreness in the foot.

roch.kubatko@baltsun.com

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