Looking to regain early-season hitting form, DJ Stewart rejoins O's

Outfielder DJ Stewart rejoined the Orioles today, recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. He takes the roster spot of pitcher Jimmy Yacabonis, who was optioned out after last night's game. Stewart gives the club a better roster breakdown, with the team now carrying 13 pitchers and 12 position players, rather than 14 and 11.

Stewart earned a call-up to the parent club the first time on May 28, after a torrid month of hitting at Norfolk. But after just seven games and 25 plate appearances he was out with a sprained right ankle, and was placed on the injured list June 6.

When Stewart returned to play July 1 it was on rehab in the Gulf Coast League, and he eventually worked his way back to Norfolk on July 11.

"Ankle's good," Stewart said this afternoon in the Orioles clubhouse. "Think it's recovered 100 percent. Sometimes there are aches and pains, but that's anything with a chronic injury. I've done it before and that's just something I've had to deal with. But I'm good. Ready to go."

Over 61 games at Triple-A for the year, he's hitting .284/.391/.545 with 18 doubles, two triples, 12 homers, 46 RBIs and an OPS of .936.

Stewart's bat was red-hot in May. He hit .456/.512/.882 in 19 games, with 10 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 27 RBIs. His batting average and OPS led all of the minors for the month.

Kind of hard to duplicate those numbers, but Stewart is trying to get his bat going again. Over his past six Triple-A games, he went 8-for-26 (.308) with three doubles, a homer and two RBIs.

"May was something unbelievable, a special month for me," said Stewart. "I'm not expecting myself to be there, but every day you have to continue to work. Maybe something clicks for you, and that is how it was in May. Just one day something clicked and I went from there.

"It was difficult (getting his offense going again). The ankle was limiting me a little bit, but it's something I had to work through. Kind of just know it's part of the process and know I'm not going to instantly be back where I was. Still have to work out every day and do early work to find where I was before. Hopefully, I get there."

Stewart was the Orioles first-round pick in 2015, taken No. 25 overall out of Florida State. In his earlier stint with the Orioles he was batting .167 (4-for-24). Now he hopes the club is ready to give him everyday playing time.

"Of course. That is what everyone wants," Stewart said. "Just the opportunity to play every day and perform to the best of our ability. I'm always confident. I believe in myself and know the work I've put in every day. And the kind of player I am. I'm confident every day, whether I get no hits or four hits."