Gentry remains grateful for the chance to play again

Two games into the 2017 season and Craig Gentry's contributions so far are serving as a pinch-runner and a defensive replacement. He's waiting to make his first plate appearance.

Gentry isn't complaining. He isn't growing impatient. After what he's endured physically and mentally, he's just thrilled to be in a major league uniform again and feeling like himself.

The Orioles selected Gentry's contract after he was the last non-roster invitee in camp. It seemed like an easy call, but Gentry didn't take it for granted.

"It came down pretty close to the end," Gentry said. "I think officially I didn't know until (Sunday), but I had a pretty good idea a couple of days before. It's awesome and feels like the first time.

"I had the peace of mind knowing I came into spring training and did what I had to do. I went out there, I showed my speed, I was able to hit well, I played a lot and I was able to stay on the field. That's one tough thing is to get through spring training healthy, so I'm excited that I was able to go out there and show what I've still got. And very thankful that they recognized that and rewarded me for it."

Manager Buck Showalter kept testing him. Gentry played in 29 exhibition games, the most of any spring in his career, and he responded by batting .321/.429/.528 with three doubles, a triple, two home runs, eight RBIs, eight walks and seven stolen bases.

Staying on the field was no small accomplishment for a player who broke both hands, sustained a back injury and suffered numerous concussions. Six at last count.

"That I'm aware of, yeah. That's been diagnosed," Gentry said. "It's somewhere around there. I don't know.

"Obviously, it's a concern just because I didn't handle the last one very well. But I'm here playing the game I love and not many people get this opportunity and I feel like I get a second chance here and I try not to worry about what's happened in the past and just move forward."

It started with his minor league deal after the Orioles already reported to camp and continued with his daily appearances in the outfield.

"I kind of had an idea that when you're in my situation, they're going to try to play you as much as possible to see if you can keep doing it," he said. "I kind of had an idea that I was going to be playing a lot and that's really all you can ask for, especially in my situation, is just an opportunity. And they did it. They are men of their words and they do give guys opportunities and I think I'm proof of that."

Though he was trying only to score a run and not make a point, Gentry did both after diving into the plate during one of the final exhibition games and jarring the ball loose. It wasn't a violent collision, but any contact - especially leading with his head - is bound to raise concerns inside the dugout.

Showalter immediately turned to head athletic trainer Richie Bancells, who assured him that it was more of a glancing blow.

"That's just kind of the way I've always played and if I don't play like that, I don't know if I'm the same player," Gentry said. "I try not to think about that kind of stuff and just keep playing the game hard. In my opinion, there's really only one way to play the game and unfortunately there are some consequences to playing like that, but I feel like that's what makes me me and that's what's gotten me here, so I'm going to keep doing that and hopefully can stay healthy."

The Yankees come to town on Friday and send right-handers Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka to the mound in the first two games. Showalter is likely to counter with Hyun Soo Kim in left field and Seth Smith in right, again leaving Gentry on the bench as a pinch-runner or defensive replacement.

Left-hander CC Sabathia starts on Sunday, but Showalter may stick with Trey Mancini in right field if the corresponding roster move for left-hander Wade Miley doesn't impact the rookie.

Mancini didn't get much action last night in his first professional start in the outfield. He caught fly balls by Troy Tulowitzki in the fourth inning and Russell Martin in the seventh. Gentry replaced him in the eighth while the Orioles were protecting a 3-1 lead.

Mancini has appeared in 483 minor league games, all of them at first base or as the designated hitter. He was the DH in his first five major league games before last night's assignment.

Adam Jones now has 223 home runs with the Orioles, tying him for fifth place on the all-time list. Cal Ripken Jr. is first with 431, followed by Eddie Murray with 343, Boog Powell with 303 and Brooks Robinson with 268.

"That's some pretty select company he's getting into in Orioles home runs if you look at the four guys ahead of him," Showalter said. "That's sacred ground."

Chris Davis hit his 200th home run as an Oriole, the eighth player in franchise history to reach the milestone. He has 83 career RBIs against the Blue Jays, the most versus any opponent.

Zach Britton has converted his last 50 save opportunities, the fifth-longest streak in history. Eric Gagne is first at 84, followed by Tom Gordon at 54, Jeurys Familia at 52 and Jose Valverde at 51.