The Orioles are expected to purchase the contract of outfielder Nolan Reimold from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, and he likely will be in uniform against the Boston Red Sox, according to industry sources.
Reimold, 31, was hitting .286 with a .351 on-base percentage in 46 games with the Tides this year. He's been particularly torrid recently, going 19-for-45 (.422) in his last 14 games.
A former Orioles' second round pick out of Bowling Green in 2005, Reimold made an instant impact with the club as a rookie in 2009, but injuries curtailed his career. He has not played in the big leagues since last September with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He hasn't played with the Orioles since July 13, 2013.
Reimold's vast promise has been limited by injuries -- specifically two career-threatening neck surgeries that cost him several seasons. He is currently suing Johns Hopkins Hospital and surgeon Ziya Gokaslan for clearing him too quickly to play after the first surgery in June 2012.
The Orioles will have to add Reimold, who signed a minor league deal in June, to the 25-man and 40-man rosters. The Orioles are playing one-man down due to left-handed reliever Brian Matusz's suspension, but they still could demote a left-handed reliever, either Cesar Cabral or T.J. McFarland. Both can be sent to the minors without having to pass through waivers.
The club has been limited to a three-man bench, so Reimold's addition -- or that of any hitter -- makes sense.
Reimold can opt out of his minor league contract July 12 -- the Orioles must email teams by July 11 to canvass their interest if he is not on the Orioles' big-league roster at that point. The Orioles would either have to add him then or send him to a team willing to add him to its 25-man roster if there is interest.
But that opt-out clause appears to be moot now. Reimold will have to clear waivers in order to be sent back to the minors.
Masnsports.com first reported Reimold's pending call-up.
** In other Orioles news, three of the team's players are fifth in American League All Star voting, according to an update released Monday by the league.
Center fielder Adam Jones is fifth among outfielders (the top three outfield vote-getters start the game), dropping one spot from the previously announced results. Third baseman Manny Machado and catcher Caleb Joseph are also fifth at their respective positions.
** Bowie right-hander Terry Doyle was named Eastern League pitcher of the week for going 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 15 innings last week. He had a complete game shutout Sunday.