The Latest Gibbie News (last updated 8/20/04)

Gibbons will read to children on Saturday at the Central Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library at 11 a.m. ET. The event is part of the team's effort to promote literacy through the Orioles' Summer Reading Program. The event is free and open to the public. ..

For the second straight game, Gibbon's has started as the Orioles' DH. Today (Aug 13) Gibbons batted 8th behind veteran B.J. Surhoff. In the top of the second Gibbons connected with the first pitch he saw from Blue Jay's pitcher Miguel Batista for a single. Jay's next two at bats resulted in ground outs to the second baseman. In the 8th inning, with new pitcher Sean Douglas in for the Jays, Gibbons was issued first base via a walk. Lary Bigbie would enter the game to take Gibbons' spot as a pinch runner. Gibbons finished the night 1 for 3, with 1 BB..

TORONTO -- Filling out the daily lineup card is getting a little more difficult these days for Orioles manager Lee Mazzilli.

With Jay Gibbons the latest Oriole to return from the disabled list, Baltimore's skipper has to make sure there are enough at-bats to go around on his team.

"There's going to be a little juggling act," Mazzilli said before Friday's game in Toronto, the opener of a three-game set against the cellar-dwelling Blue Jays.

"You have to get guys at-bats."

Outfielder Larry Bigbie got the day off Friday as catcher Javy Lopez and first-baseman Rafael Palmiero returned to the lineup after taking a rest on Thursday.

Gibbons was also back in the lineup as the designated hitter.

"Gibby came off the DL for a reason -- to play," Mazzilli said.

Mazzilli said that while Gibbons is physically ready to play in the outfield, he plans to keep him in the DH role this weekend, keeping him off SkyDome's artificial turf.

In yesterday's game against the Anaheim Angels (Aug. 12), Gibbons made his first start since being activated from the DL. Manager Lee Mazzilli stated that he did not want to put Gibbons into the field so soon, so Gibbons started as the Orioles' DH, while David Newhan filled in at right field.

In the top of the first, Gibbons laced a deep double into right field that barely missed going out of the park. The double cashed in Miguel Tejada who was at second. This would be the one hit Gibbons collected for the game. In the top of the third, Gibbons was issued a free pass to first base on ball four from pictcher Bartola Colon. Gibbons finished the day 1 for 4, with one hit, one RBI, one BB and two left on base..

In yesterdays game (Aug. 10) against the Anaheim Angels, Gibbons made his first appearance back in an Orioles uniform since being activated from the DL.

Gibbons came into the game in the 8th inning as a pinch hitter for B.J. Surhoff. Gibbons' first at bat ended with a called strike 3. Gibbons disagreed with the call. He remained in the game playing right field.

With the Orioles on a winning streak, it's hard to say when Gibbons will get any prolonged playing time. Gibbons is quoted as saying he wants to help the team keep winning in any way he can.

ANAHEIM -- The Orioles are healthier and getting key players back into their lineup, evidenced by the return of Jay Gibbons to the roster after a six-week absence. Gibbons was activated before Tuesday's game against the Anaheim Angels but was not in the lineup. He had been out since June 29 with a partially torn hip flexor. After going 3-for-21 in a five-game stint with Class A Frederick and Double-A Bowie, Gibbons said he is ready to return.

With the Orioles riding a seven-game winning streak entering Tuesday's game and the outfield filled with hot hitters, Gibbons was unsure of his role.

"I have no idea," he said before the game. "I know things are going well and I am not in the lineup tonight, but I am available."

Gibbons is trying to make the most of a disappointing season. He was expected to flourish hitting behind the trio of Miguel Tejada, Javy Lopez and Rafael Palmeiro. But he batted .223 in 53 games with six homers and 28 RBIs. He admitted that his ailing back affected his swing and overcompensation led to his hip problems.

"I can feel my hips exploding a lot more now," he said. "You do so much to try to get by and compensate. The problem I have been having is finding the old swing. Now I have to try to find what I have done my whole life."

Any trip to Southern California means Gibbons has to hit up teammates for tickets to give to his family and friends. Gibbons was a standout at Mayfair High School in Lakewood and Cal State-Los Angeles.

To make room for Gibbons on the roster, catcher Ken Huckaby was designated for assignment. Huckaby was claimed off waivers from the Texas Rangers on July 6 and hit .162 in 16 games as a spot starter. The Orioles could not option Huckaby to Triple-A Ottawa because he is out of minor league options.

Outfielder Jay Gibbons hasn't played in a Major League game since June 28.

BALTIMORE -- A well-dressed and eager Jay Gibbons packed his bags for the Orioles' cross-country flight to Anaheim on Monday brimming with enthusiasm. After six weeks on the shelf, he expects to be activated from the disabled list before Tuesday's game with the Angels. A player expected to be a major cornerstone this season, Gibbons has been limited to 53 games because of injuries to his back and hip.

He just completed a six-game rehabilitation stint and declared himself healthy enough to return to the roster.

"I feel great," Gibbons said. "I made it through the weekend OK. In the final few games, I pushed myself hard and came out fine."

For Gibbons, the final 52 games present an opportunity to atone for a lost season. The left-handed slugger was supposed to be the main beneficiary of the acquisitions of Miguel Tejada, Rafael Palmeiro and Javy Lopez. He was supposed to pile up the home runs hitting behind the Big Three.

Instead, Gibbons struggled, pressed and then got hurt. He admitted he was never quite healthy entering the season. A lower back strain became more of an issue as the season wore on. He missed three weeks with that injury, then tore his hip flexor muscle trying to compensate for it.

Gibbons went a combined 3-for-21 with Class A Frederick and Double-A Bowie, but he said he is starting to feel more comfortable at the plate.

"My goal is to find some consistency, try to salvage the season as much as I can," Gibbons said. "I guess staying healthy is probably the biggest thing. You get a lot of time to think when you're sitting at home. I have to move on from here."

The Orioles begin their trip to Anaheim on a seven-game winning streak, and Gibbons said he only wants to help out, not create an outfield controversy. There definitely will be a logjam of outfielders when he returns.

"I am just going to stay out of their way and watch them and help them in any way I can," he said. "Hopefully we can keep winning. I know what it's like to keep winning -- the atmosphere is a lot different."

The club is likely to option catcher Ken Huckaby to Triple-A Ottawa to make room for Gibbons. Manager Lee Mazzilli said before the game that outfielder Karim Garcia, who has a sore heel, is not expected to be placed on the DL.

KANSAS CITY -- Jay Gibbons, who was hitting just .133 in 14 games since coming off the disabled list with lower back spasms, was placed back on the disabled list on Tuesday with a partial tear of the illiopoas, a muscle in the left hip.

"I knew something was wrong," Gibbons said. "To say the least, it's disappointing. I knew I wasn't that bad. I could see the ball. I couldn't shoot my hip at all. I don't think I've hit the ball hard since I've come off the DL. My back is feeling great now. I think they (back and hip injuries) are definitely related."

Overall, Gibbons is hitting .223 with six home runs and 28 RBIs in 53 games.

"For two weeks, I'll do nothing but rest it," Gibbons said. "From what I hear, I'll be out four to six weeks. They say it will heal back with a good amount of rest. If I try to play with it now, it would actually make it a lot worse. It's really deep (the tear) and hard to get to (for treatment). I wasn't helping the team when I was playing."

Orioles manager Lee Mazzilli said after two weeks "we'll see where he's at."

"When he's healthy, he can play," Mazzilli said. "I noticed it in his swinging, but more so the way he ran the bases and watching him come back to the bench gingerly."

CLEVELAND -- The Orioles pulled a clean swap on their roster Monday. Jay Gibbons was activated from the 15-day disabled list, and Tim Raines Jr., the player called up to the bigs in Gibbons' absence, was sent back down to Triple-A Ottawa.

Gibbons had been placed on the DL on June 2, retroactive to May 26, with back spasms. He is batting .250 with six home runs and 25 RBIs this season, and was in the middle of an eight-game hitting streak when the back spasms forced him out of action.

Gibbons was in the starting lineup in the designated hitter spot for Monday's game against the Indians.

Orioles manager Lee Mazzilli said Gibbons is ready to play in the field, but he wanted to give B.J. Surhoff the start in right on Monday.

"When we activated (Gibbons), he knew he had to be ready to go both ways," Mazzilli said.

As for Raines, Mazzilli said the team wanted to give him a chance to play every day, which he wasn't doing with the O's.

"He's going to benefit from going down and playing," Mazzilli said.

In eight games in the Majors, Raines went 2-for-7 (.286) with a pair of stolen bases. The Orioles spoke with Raines about the aspects of his game that they want to see him working on while he's back in Ottawa.

BOWIE, Md. -- Jay Gibbons completed the final part of his two-day rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie on Sunday, and, despite going hitless again, said he's ready to return to the Orioles. Gibbons played right field and went 0-for-3 and is rejoining the Orioles as they head to Cleveland for Monday's makeup game. He grounded out three times and finished the two-game stint 0-for-5 with a walk and a run scored while getting his timing back after being out since May 25 following problems with back spasms.

"I felt a lot better today," Gibbons said. "I'm ready to go, and I feel good."

On the disabled list retroactive to May 26, Gibbons now is eligible to come off. The team hasn't made an official annoucement yet on his status.

Gibbons said his legs were a little weak after playing all seven innings of the first game of Saturday's doubleheader with the Binghamton Mets, but they felt much stronger Sunday.

He left after playing the first seven innings of Binghamton's 7-4 victory to rejoin the Orioles' traveling party.

"I'm still a little rusty at the plate, but we'll wing it for a couple of days," Gibbons said. "My back's fine, and my legs feel good."

BOWIE, Md. -- Jay Gibbons didn't get a hit in the first game of his rehab assignment Saturday, but the Orioles outfielder thought it was a good day overall. Gibbons went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored while playing right field for Class AA Bowie in the first game of a doubleheader with Binghamton. He's been on the disabled list retroactive to May 26 with a bulging disc in his back and missed 16 games through Friday.

"I didn't get a hit, but I made it out in one piece," Gibbons said with a laugh. "It feels good."

Gibbons sat out the nightcap but was scheduled to play in Sunday afternoon's game. He'll either stay in for four at-bats or go the whole game before joining the Orioles en route to their make-up game in Cleveland Monday afternoon.

The outfielder said he did nothing for two weeks, taking only two days of batting practice before joining the Baysox for the seven-inning game. Gibbons flew to deep center on his first at-bat, walked and scored the next time and grounded into a double play on his final trip.

"I thought he looked comfortable at the plate," Bowie manager Dave Trembley said. "He showed a lot of patience."

Gibbons said he wants to be more patient but wasn't upset.

"I felt a little jumpy up there," Gibbons said. "But it was a good day."

NEW YORK -- The disabled list has become a reality for Orioles right fielder Jay Gibbons. Gibbons, preparing to return to the lineup Tuesday against the New York Yankees, reaggravated his back during batting practice on Monday and is out indefinitely. He will be placed on the disabled list Wednesday and the club will recall outfielder Tim Raines Jr.

Gibbons said the back spasmed again while he was standing in the outfield at Fenway Park. He did not participate in pregame drills on Tuesday and manager Lee Mazzilli said he is not going to wait much longer before making a decision.

"Jay's not ready, the back is a funny thing," he said before the announcement. "If he's not ready to go in the next couple of days we'll do something because I can't afford to be a man short."

Gibbons has been out since May 25 with recurring back spasms. An MRI exam revealed a bulging disc, but it is not believed to be serious. He has undergone treatment for the past week but said he is not getting significantly better.

"Now we're just playing it day-by-day to see if this will work or trying something else," he said. "I'm doing everything, three times a day as much as you can do to get it better. If they sit me a few more days and get something else up here, so be it, if it's best for the team."

The injury has allowed B.J. Surhoff to re-emerge as a productive player. He entered Tuesday 14-for-28 in the six games since Gibbons' injury with two home runs and seven RBIs.

"B.J. has been outstanding," Mazzilli said. "He's been very instrumental in our (four-game) winning streak."

Gibbons was placed on the DL retroactive to May 26, meaning he will be eligible to be activated on June 10. Raines was hitting .253 with one homer and 14 RBIs for the Lynx.

BALTIMORE -- Before the regular season began, Orioles right fielder Jay Gibbons suggested his teammates all grow mustaches in solidarity. The idea didn't fly. Gibbons has used facial hair recently as a source of motivation after a month-long slump. He refused to shave until he got two hits in a game, which happened May 4.

It's surprising that the 27-year-old Gibbons is using such ploys to snap out of slumps. He wasn't expected to struggle at all hitting behind the trio of Miguel Tejada, Rafael Palmeiro and Javy Lopez. Baseball insiders projected Gibbons would see a plethora of juicy fastballs down the middle after pitchers were busy avoiding the Big Three.

That has yet to happen. Gibbons enters Friday's game with the Cleveland Indians hitting .213 with meager on-base (.315) and slugging (.372) percentages.

After hitting into a fielder's choice to help extinguish an Orioles' ninth-inning rally on Wednesday, Gibbons took almost an hour to lift weights, cool down and take a shower. He was the last remaining player in an almost desolate clubhouse.

"Actually, today was the first time I felt good at the plate, probably all year," Gibbons said. "For some reason, I'm real hot or real cold. I just have trouble minimizing the slumps."

Gibbons is a self-deprecating person. When he flourishes, it's luck. When he slumps, he questions his abilities. Gibbons thought he would see better pitches hitting behind the trio.

Last April, Gibbons hit .244 with 11 strikeouts in 90 at-bats. This April he hit .224 with 13 strikeouts in 76 at-bats.

"I am getting pitched the same way I did last year and I haven't made the adjustments," he said. "It's all mechanics. I went out there early today, took batting practice went back to basics. I was seeing the ball almost too good (Wednesday)."

The top five hitters in the Orioles lineup are hitting a combined .331 while Gibbons, Larry Bigbie and Luis Matos are at .222.

BALTIMORE -- For 18 games, Jay Gibbons has watched the trio of Miguel Tejada, Rafael Palmeiro and Javy Lopez pound out key hits, hit home runs and rattle pitchers with their patience. Watching the Big Three did little to boost Gibbons' average or reduce his anxiety at the plate, however. He entered Wednesday's game hitting .212 with 11 strikeouts, and looked nothing like the hitter many projected would flourish in the presence of these three established power hitters.

On Wednesday, Gibbons was patient at the plate. With the bases loaded in the eighth inning, the game tied at 1, facing Seattle's Shigetoshi Hasegawa, he didn't try to pull the ball for a grand slam. He waited for his pitch and drilled it past second baseman Bret Boone for a two-run single.

That hit gave the Orioles a grueling 3-1 win on a night when lefty Jamie Moyer was his usually dominating self.

Gibbons was able to talk about his recent 0-for-15 slump with a sense of relief.

"It was beyond frustration," he said, describing the past few days. "I can only break so many bats. I was really calm, actually. I just said, 'What do you have to lose? You have a chance to help your team.' "

BALTIMORE -- Last season, 26-year-old Jay Gibbons was the Orioles' leading returning home run hitter with 28. The Orioles were a team that lacked power, and Gibbons was their version of Sammy Sosa. Now, Gibbons is a lucky man: He gets the rare opportunity to hit behind three splendid sluggers who hit for power and average.

Several baseball insiders have said Gibbons should flourish while hitting sixth in the batting order because pitchers will be forced to challenge him after dealing with the Big Three.

"I agree with them," Gibbons said. "I should do pretty well hitting behind these guys. I don't mind those guys being here. It's good to have some superstars in this clubhouse who can show the younger guys how to get to the top."

Who are the Big Three? They are Miguel Tejada, Rafael Palmeiro and Javy Lopez, who signed with Baltimore within a span of a month this offseason, their goal being the revitalization of a once-proud franchise that prided itself on division titles and winning records.

The Orioles have endured six consecutive losing seasons and six consecutive fourth-place finishes in the American League East. Baltimore has watched the Yankees and the Red Sox consistently add All-Star players and turn the division into an annual two-team race. Tejada, Palmeiro and Lopez could help the O's make it a three-team run for the title.

The trio combined for 108 home runs last season. The Orioles hit 152 home runs in 2003.

Gibbons could be the wild card in the order. Last season, his home run production dropped as more pitchers opted to avoid pitching to him because he was one of the team's lone power threats.

"How could I not improve with those guys hitting in front of me, with them being on base all the time?" Gibbons said. "The end of the year last year I was painfully reminded how rough it could be [when you don't have protection around you]. I was ecstatic when I heard all the signings happening."

So the Orioles should pile up more than the 743 runs they had in 2003. This new era should be dominated by offense and high-scoring games. Mazzilli's club will rely on these heavy hitters to support a young but talented pitching staff.

Baseball in Baltimore is no longer stale and predictable. The Big Three -- make that The Big Four -- should be quite entertaining.

BALTIMORE -- Quick. Who is the Orioles' leading returning home run hitter? The answer? He is not expected to lead the team in home runs this season.

Jay Gibbons has belted 51 home runs the past two years for Baltimore and is one of the league's emerging young hitters. But to Gibbons' delight, he could be dropped to sixth in the batting order with the arrival of more established veterans Miguel Tejada, Javy Lopez and Rafael Palmeiro.

That could mean more pitches to hit for Gibbons and less pressure on him to help carry the Orioles. He could be the fourth option on what looks like a powerful offense.

"I just want to stand back and pick something up from the guys," Gibbons said. "It doesn't matter where I hit in the order. With guys being on base and with the hitters we have in this lineup, pitchers are going to be on the ropes."

Gibbons sacrificed his power for average last season, raising it 30 points to .277. He became the 15th player in Orioles history to drive in at least 100 runs in a season. With three big bats added to a lineup that includes young cornerstones Larry Bigbie, Luis Matos and Jerry Hairston, Gibbons may have the opportunity to improve on those numbers.

This past offseason Gibbons was healthy for the first time since joining the Orioles in 2001. His troublesome wrist that required two surgeries in the past two years has finally healed. Also, he emerged as an improving right fielder with decent range in 2003.

Club management spent nearly the entire offseason pursuing former Montreal slugger Vladimir Guerrero, meaning Gibbons would have been headed to first base or would have been the designated hitter. But Guerrero spurned the Orioles for the Angels, so Gibbons will remain the team's right fielder.

Gibbons does not feel slighted and is, instead, happy he won't have to change positions.

"It's a feeling of relief," he said. "I feel comfortable out there. I am glad I don't have to make adjustments to a new position. So things worked out for me."

When Gibbons and his teammates finished the season in New York last September, the organization was in a state of transition. Manager Mike Hargrove was removed a day after the season, and several veterans were released or not re-signed to contract. Meanwhile, the management duo of Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan signed Tejada, Lopez, Palmeiro and pitcher Sidney Ponson.

"I was sitting in California and looking at ESPN, and I was like, 'Wow,'" Gibbons said. "We have moved to that next level. I am really excited about our team. We have a former MVP, a guy who hit 40 home runs last season and a guy with 500 home runs. It's not going to hurt our offense."

Jay Gibbons is well on his way to lasting renown as one of the best Rule 5 draftees in history. On Thursday, the Orioles made sure he continued that quest in style.

Heading off a salary arbitration hearing already scheduled for next Thursday, the Orioles and the outfielder agreed to terms of a one-year contract.

"Anytime you can get things worked out, it's a good thing. I'm happy with the deal," Gibbons told The Associated Press. "Now I can go out and play ball without worrying about my contract. I'm just glad it's over."

The contract is for $2.6 million, which is the midpoint between the sets of numbers the team and player submitted last month.

In the formal exchange of salary figures, Gibbons had asked for $2.8 million while the club had countered with $2.4 million.

Gibbons was the last of five Orioles eligible for arbitration, all of whom came to terms without hearings. Melvin Mora signed a three-year contract, while Jerry Hairston, Luis Matos and B.J. Ryan signed one-year pacts.

Gibbons, a 26-year-old left-handed hitter with tremendous raw power, has made remarkable strides in three seasons since being chosen by Baltimore in the 2000 Rule 5 draft out of the Toronto organization.

His offensive production has significantly improved across the board in each of his three seasons in the Orioles outfield. Among the highlights, he has hiked his RBIs from 36 to 69 to 100 and has also jumped his average 41 points.

Playing in 160 games last season, Gibbons hit .277 with 23 homers and 100 RBIs and was named the Orioles' Most Valuable Player.

He paced the 2003 Orioles in several departments: runs driven in and scored (80), hits (173) and doubles (39).

Baltimore, MD -- The Baltimore Orioles today announced that they have signed OF JAY GIBBONS to a one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration. The Orioles now have signed all five of their arbitration-eligible players for the 2004 season.

Gibbons was voted Most Valuable Oriole in 2003 after batting .277 with 23 home runs and a career-high 100 RBI. He led the Orioles in RBI, runs (80), hits (173) and doubles (39) and was second in homers while playing in all but three games on the season. His 39 doubles tied for 10th in the American League.

Gibbons has batted .259 with 66 home runs in three major league seasons since the Orioles selected him from Toronto in the 2000 Rule 5 Draft.

In addition to Gibbons, the Orioles previously had signed arbitration-eligible players LHP B.J. Ryan, 2B Jerry Hairston and OF Luis Matos to one-year contracts and 3B Melvin Mora to a three-year contract.