Nolan Reimold with a much-needed slump-breaking day

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold batted .340/.439/.489 in 24 spring training games last year and didn't break camp with the Orioles. An impressive slash line, two home runs, nine RBIs and eight walks couldn't sway team officials who were in a bind over his lack of minor league options.

Reimold didn't have his contact purchased from Triple-A Norfolk until June and the wait tested his patience, which eventually was rewarded. Now he's faced with more uncertainty as the Orioles prepare to head north next week.

He's on the 40-man roster. Until yesterday, he also was in a slump.

Reimold was batting .150/.227/.200 with no home runs and two RBIs in 40 at-bats over 13 games. He grounded into two double plays in Wednesday's loss to the Pirates in Bradenton.

Given another chance yesterday as a late-inning replacement in left field, Reimold hit a game-tying, opposite-field home run in the ninth off Yankees reliever Nick Rumbelow and an RBI single in the 10th off Matt Tracy.

Rumbelow appeared in 17 games with the Yankees last season. Tracy got into one game. It didn't matter to a player who needed to bust out.

"I was having good at-bats," Reimold said yesterday morning. "The last game (Wednesday) wasn't very good. I was trying to do different things because I haven't gotten the results, but just got a few more days to get it right."

The "different things" are aimed at regaining his feel at the plate and making a final push to cement a place on the 25-man roster.

"As long as you're feeling good the last few days, that's a good thing," he said. "It's a good spring training. Physically I'm good. Just need to hit better."

Reimold has moved past the point where reporters gather at his locker for health updates. That alone is cause for celebration. He's in excellent shape, as usual, and his shoulder appears to be fine. It's the slash line that's been ailing.

Yesterday's output left him batting .190/.261/.310.

"Baseball can be a frustrating game sometimes, but it's just sticking with it until things start going right again," he said. "Hopefully, it's not that long. And it could be a good thing. Get it out of the way now instead of the beginning of the year.

"I've had good spring training and started the year not so hot, so anything can happen."

Good things happened yesterday. Reimold will try to keep it going while the Orioles make their final cuts.

Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard is a lock to head north. The Orioles still have room for Reimold in the outfield picture.

Note: The Orioles and Padres have resumed discussions centering on pitcher James Shields, as MLB Network's Jon Heyman tweeted yesterday. This dance has been happening for much of the offseason. React accordingly.

The Orioles obviously have concerns about their rotation and remain open to any potential upgrades, but they're not taking on a bad contract or surrendering their top prospects.