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Baltimore Orioles shake up roster before heading to Kansas City

By Joe Serpico

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The Baltimore Orioles have continued to overhaul the roster in search of a consistent lineup as they made several moves today in advance of their trip to visit the defending American League Champions in the Kansas City Royals. The team made a plethora of moves today gearing up for the road trip to Kauffman Stadium.

The big “addition” is the return of Steve Pearce to the roster. Pearce is not putting up the numbers similar to last season, but the utility player was heating up before heading to the disabled list. He batted .293 in June and .292 in July, but has had just five plate appearances since the All-Star break.

J.J. Hardy has really been struggling and the Orioles had to be concerned about his play. He is batting .157 in August and has become a liability in the Orioles lineup. It’s sad to say this, but Hardy is no longer an every day player. He has become a defensive specialist at this point of his career because of his offensive woes. The move to the DL is probably merited, but the Orioles couldn’t risk to have him on the roster right now until he gets better at the plate.

Nolan Reimold‘s departure comes as no surprise as Pearce makes his return. Reimold has not impressed since being called up in June and is batting .185 in the month of August. The play of Henry Urrutia, and the ability of Chris Davis and Pearce to play the outfield as well made Reimold expendable.

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The Orioles recalled Jorge Rondon from Triple-A Norfolk to add some reassurance to a bullpen that has been shaky since the trade of Tommy Hunter to the Chicago Cubs. Rondon saw over three innings of work for the Orioles earlier this month against the Detroit Tigers.

The Royals swept the Orioles in the ALCS last season and Baltimore wants nothing more than to get revenge against the top team in the American League. Coming off a four-game sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Twins, that is not looking likely.

Buck Showalter‘s teams is on the ropes and they are looking for anyone to make a contribution as they chase one of the final wild card spots. They currently sit two games behind the Texas Rangers for the second wild card seed.

The O’s needed a shakeup as they take on arguably the best team in all of baseball. Another sweep at the hands of the Royals and the Orioles season is essentially over. The upcoming series could be the make or break moment of the Orioles 2015 season.

Showalter is hopeful that this mix up is the recipe the Orioles need to get everything back in order and start the run to the playoffs.

Next: Orioles deep in the barrel and looking up

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