Orioles first baseman Ty Wigginton doesn't believe he made physical contact with umpire Gary Darling during a highlight-reel meltdown Thursday night, but his actions have earned him a three-game suspension and a $2,500 fine.
"It wasn't like a definite bump. I feel like if I bump someone, they're going to move back," Wigginton said. "I know I got as close as I could, I know that you can't bump an umpire. If I did and didn't realize it, my bad. But I think it was more of a brush, if anything."
Bob Watson, baseball's vice president of on-field operations, announced the disciplinary measures, saying that it was a result of Wigginton's "inappropriate actions, which included making contact" with Darling.
Wigginton said he was "shocked, surprised," when he learned of the ruling, which he said he definitely would appeal. Wigginton was in the starting lineup Friday, batting third and playing first base, and will continue to play until the appeal is heard or dropped.
Darling wrote in his report that Wigginton bumped him in the top of the seventh after Darling ruled Minnesota shortstop J.J. Hardy safe at first base. Replays showed that Wigginton clearly tagged Hardy. Darling, after looking at the video, later admitted the mistake.
Manager Juan Samuel and pitching coach Rick Kranitz also were ejected Thursday, and Samuel was expecting he may get fined for his on-field rant, which included flipping his cap onto the field.
Before Friday's game, he had not heard from the commissioner's office.
Wigginton's last ejection was in 2007 at Camden Yards while he was with the Tampa Bay Rays. He threw his hat into the stands that day and received a minimal fine.
"I've never been suspended and it's only my second ejection that I can remember," Wigginton said. "The other one I just got a little fine and it was over with. This is the first time there's been anything else. We'll figure out how it works."
Roberts makes return
Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, who hasn't played in the majors since the club's home opener on April 9 when he re-aggravated the herniated disk in his back, was visibly excited before starting Friday's game.
"These guys are probably exhausted and it is like Opening Day for me," Roberts said. "I'm looking forward to just getting out there and playing. It has been a long time and I'm just excited to be back on the field."
Samuel said Roberts would likely play Saturday and be given the day off Sunday. He then probably will play the first game in Toronto on the Rogers Centre turf, before potentially getting the second day of the series off.
"We have to be careful, especially in Toronto," Roberts said. "And let's see how he feels after playing him back-to-back games here. We want to be smart with that."
Roberts played in just four games in April, getting two hits in 14 at-bats before he was shut down after re-injuring his back on a headfirst slide. He was supposed to play through Saturday at Double-A Bowie as part of a minor-league rehab assignment, but after starting three games and picking up six hits in 14 at-bats, the Orioles decided to activate him Friday.
"I just told them I was ready and at that point it was their decision, it was up to them," Roberts said. "They knew I wanted to play, but obviously they also have the best interests of myself and other guys on the team as well."
Markakis sits
After starting 94 of the club's first 95 games this season, Nick Markakis was given the day off Thursday by Samuel. It wasn't something he craved.
"If you were to ask me, I'd like to be in there. I tried to fight it, but I didn't win. I wasn't successful," said Markakis, who is batting .299 on the season, but is hitting .194 (7-for-36) in his past eight games. "Who knows? It could be a good thing for me. I'm just going to take it as a day of rest and hang out."
Markakis had missed just one other start this season, May 27 when his wife gave birth to the couple's second child.
"In this job, you have to be physically fit to play 162 games. That's part of the responsibility of this job," Markakis said. "You should want to be out there every day. But it's up to the manager to decide when he wants to give us days off."
Samuel said it was long overdue — and non-negotiable.
"We all know Nicky wants to play and if you put it in Nicky's hands he's going to try to talk you out of it," Samuel said. "And so I basically told him, 'You are not playing [Friday].' And for him, my office was closed. Don't come in, you are not playing."
Moore designated
To make room for Roberts, the Orioles designated infielder Scott Moore for assignment, removing him from the 25-man and 40-man roster.
The decision came down to Moore, who hit .209 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 86 at-bats, and veteran Julio Lugo, who is hitting .264 with no homers and 15 RBIs in 182 at-bats. Because Lugo can play shortstop and backup starter Cesar Izturis, he got the nod.
"We wanted to keep somebody who would give us a hand at short and Lugo was that guy," Samuel said. "We talked to Scotty Moore and he understood that situation."
The club has 10 days to trade, release or ask waivers on Moore. If he is placed on waivers and not claimed, he could go back to Triple-A Norfolk, where he started the season.
Around the horn
Wigginton's third-inning triple was his first three-bagger since Aug. 16, 2008. …. Multiple Texas Rangers scouts were in attendance at Thursday's game. The club has had extensive interest in Wigginton. … Due to a minor-league roster crunch, outfielder Jonathan Tucker was demoted from Triple-A Norfolk to Double-A Bowie, where he has played 48 games this season. … With his first inning RBI single, Adam Jones has hit safely in 32 of his past 41 games. … Wigginton's ejection Thursday was the first of an Orioles player since Gregg Zaun was thrown out Aug. 2, 2009 for arguing balls and strikes. … Lefty Brian Matusz, who pitches Saturday, is 0-6 with a 5.57 ERA in nine home starts this season. In his last 10 overall starts, the club has scored just 17 runs while he was in the game.
Baltimore Sun reporter Jeff Zrebiec contributed to this article.