Jordan Westburg on early stage of his rehab and more Toronto pregame notes

TORONTO – Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg has not played since he was hit by a pitch July 31 against Toronto and suffered a fractured right hand.

With the O’s set to play the Blue Jays again, this time north of the border, Westburg was quite upbeat today about making it back to the Orioles before the regular season winds down.

“It’s hard to tell. It just comes down how quickly the bone heals and how quickly I can progress,” Westburg said this afternoon in the visitor’s clubhouse with his arm wrapped and using a splint. “I am just taking it one day at a time and personally, I’m optimistic I can be back before the end of the season. I am going to do everything I can to get back out there.”

Do the doctors share that optimism?

“Well, I don’t have any concrete timetable right now. Just trying to be optimistic and set my attitude and worry about taking it one day at a time,” said Westburg, batting .269 with an .815 OPS in 101 games.

Toronto righty reliever Yerry Rodríguez hit Westburg with a 95 mph fastball in the fifth inning July 31. The emotions, the infielder said, were quite active in the first few days following that injury.

“When it happened I knew something was wrong. Been hit in the hand plenty of times, but never quite had that much pain, the numbness, the loss of strength. So, was able to kind of get closure right away, knowing something was wrong and seeing that it was wrong on the X-ray.

“Immediately I was very disappointed. I want to play and be part of this team. But I’m choosing to find the good in this circumstance. Whether it’s just time to sit and talk with Coby (Mayo) and Jackson (Holliday) and be here for any of our young guys. Want to give back to this clubhouse and be some kind of energy in the dugout. I am trying to find different ways to go about this and still be productive.”

So yeah, Westburg was smiling and quite upbeat today in the O’s clubhouse. It’s clear he feels at home around his teammates, even if he can’t play right now.

“I’m in good spirits. I am not going to let this weigh me down. Yeah, I’d much rather be playing. But I’m not and it’s a waiting game right now. I can be patient. I am going to be eager to be back on the field, but I can be patient right now,” he said.

Westburg was not sure how long his arm would be needing the splint. He is expecting to get another MRI during the upcoming homestand so the doctors can see how far along the healing process is going.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Westburg is still doing some work with the O’s strength and conditioning staff, all he can, except for with his right hand and arm.

Hyde on the closer role: Craig Kimbrel’s last save was July 7 for the Orioles and he has had two blown saves since that date. The O’s last three saves have come from Cionel Pérez (one) and Yennier Cano (two).

Are they closer-by-committee currently?

“Pretty much," said Hyde. "Craig, unbelievable job, should have made the All-Star team. Had a couple of hiccups. Still not quite, I want him to feel good right now. So we’ve gone with different guys the last handful of games. I’m hoping he can work his way back in there. We’ll see how it goes. Just want to get him going again.

"Craig, for two-plus months, was pretty much lights out for us. Trying to work him back to get that same feeling he had during that time."

Status of McDermott, Kjerstad: The Orioles today announced that Triple-A right-hander Chayce McDermott is heading to the Norfolk injured list with a right scapula (shoulder) stress reaction.

He is the club's No. 6 prospect, via MLB.com. This season at Norfolk he has gone 4-5 with a 3.90 ERA in 97 innings. McDermott made his major league debut - and to this point, his only big league appearance - in a start July 24 at Miami, allowing three runs over four innings.

Hyde said he was not sure if this could be a season-ending situation for McDermott. 

Meanwhile, outfielder Heston Kjerstad was optioned to Triple-A by the Orioles last Thursday, but has yet to play for the Tides.

"My understanding is he has some sort of appointment today and should be back in the lineup tomorrow," said Hyde.