In officially joining the Orioles on Friday, outfielder Michael Bourn suited up for his fourth different organization since the beginning of spring training. But in his latest stop this season, the 33-year-old veteran finds himself in a pennant race.
"It's just fun to be in this kind of position," Bourn said Friday, two days after the Orioles acquired him from the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league outfielder Jason Heinrich. "I was in the position where our team, we were playing the spoiler role pretty much. Now, in the thick of things, trying to get to the playoffs, and that will be exciting to be a part of."
Bourn will provide depth at all three outfield positions, especially in center field, where Adam Jones returned to the lineup Friday after missing five games with a hamstring injury. He will also provide an additional left-handed bat off the bench and a speedy base-running option the Orioles haven't had since Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard went on the disabled list in late July.
As for his path to Baltimore this season, Bourn will be the first to say is was unconventional.
"That's a good question now, man," Bourn said. "It's been cr-aaa-zy. I can tell you for me from the jump, it's been crazy. It's one of those things where it's all said and done where you can look back, and say, 'Man, I went through a crazy time.'"
Bourn was at home on Opening Day after being designated for assignment by the Braves in the final days of spring training. He signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays in late April, but played just nine games with High-A team in Dunedin before he was released.
He caught on with the Diamondbacks on May 10 on a minor league deal, and found himself back in the big leagues after less than a week in Double-A.
Bourn hit just .261/.307/.362 with 21 extra-base hits (12 doubles, six triples and three homers) and 30 RBIs, while going 13-for-18 on stolen-base attempts. But he did post a .321/.354/.423 slash line in his last 19 games with Arizona before being dealt to the Orioles.
"I've enjoyed it," Bourn said of his roller-coaster season. "The beginning didn't start off the way ... I wanted it to start off. I was at home for a while. I didn't like that at all, being at home watching people play on Opening Day. I hadn't done that in 10 years. I never did that, so there's a first time for that. I had an opportunity to go with the Blue Jays, then I went to the Diamondbacks, now I'm here. … It's been crazy, but I try to make the most of the situation, no matter what I was doing. I'm here now, and I'm going to try to do my best."
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