Learning more about De Aza

As we continue to speculate about the Orioles' postseason roster, making the bold assumption that they wrap up the division, it's obvious that outfielder Alejandro De Aza must be included on it.

Of course, that's assuming he avoids an injury or a suspension, and that he doesn't vaporize.

De Aza hit safely in his first eight games with the Orioles, batting 13-for-33 (.394) with a double, two triples, two home runs, six RBIs, five runs scored a two stolen bases. He singled and scored the tying run last night in the sixth inning.

Welcome to Baltimore.

De Aza got off to a painfully slow start with the White Sox this season, batting .185 in April and .161 in May. He caught fire in June - but not in a way that would require season-ending surgery - and batted .365.

Considering how long he resided below the Mendoza line, it's admirable that De Aza was hitting a combined .252 before last night's game.

"He's a really good ballplayer," said his representative, Francis Marquez of Praver Shapiro Sports Management. "I was talking to a general manager about this. The first two months were so terrible. For him to be above .250 is a testament to the guy that he is. He didn't throw in the towel. He kept working."

Why the early struggles? Perhaps it had something to do with the disruption of De Aza's winter workout routine. He spent the offseason in Chicago for the first time while waiting on his residency paperwork, which prohibited him from flying home to the Dominican Republic.

"The winter was brutal," Marquis said. "It was difficult for him to get his work in. He finally flew to Miami in January to work out, but it was a little too late as far as really getting in the work that he needed, and I think it showed in the first few months. He wasn't in top form. But he would never say that it was an excuse.

"He'd go to the gym, but for him to get his outside work, which is really his bread and butter, he wasn't able to do it.

"He expects a lot from himself, if you know him. And now you see him really turning it up. He offers an interesting combination of speed and power."

De Aza has blended nicely with his new teammates, the latest outsider to feel right at home.

"Alejandro is a great clubhouse guy," Marquis said. "He's very outgoing and I just think he's a good fit. And he was very excited when the trade happened. It kind of gave him a little bit of motivation, a new life, because he gets a chance to play for a contender and hopefully show these last couple of months the real Alejandro De Aza and not the one from April and May.

"If you know his history, he had to overcome a lot of things to get to the point where he's headed toward his third year of arbitration."

That includes breaking camp with the Marlins in 2007 as their starting center fielder after arriving as a non-roster invitee, batting .303 in nine games and fracturing his ankle. He missed the entire 2008 season after an outfield collision in the final inning of the Marlins' last spring training game.

The White Sox claimed De Aza off waivers in October 2009, and he again earned a starting job in the outfield.

"Having to earn playing time like he has to do with the Orioles, because they have three established outfielders, is nothing new to him," Marquis said. "It motivates him. It helps him elevate his game, especially in a playoff situation. This is a really exciting time for the Orioles and for him to be able to contribute, especially when they're looking for a little more defense and little boost in offense. So whatever he can provide, he's willing to do.

"He knows he's in a good situation. He knows he's landed in an organization that has a window to win. The team has the talent and drive and fan support to win a championship and that's exciting for him."

The Orioles can move a few steps closer to winning their division if they beat the Blue Jays, who arrive tonight for a three-game series.

Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen is seeking his 16th victory of the season. He's 7-2 with a 3.80 ERA in 14 starts at Camden Yards, and 0-2 with an 8.10 ERA in two career starts against the Blue Jays.

Blue Jays rookie Marcus Stroman has never faced the Orioles. He's 7-2 with a 2.76 ERA in 14 games (11 starts) at home and 3-3 with a 5.73 ERA in nine games (seven starts) on the road.

Kelly Johnson is 2-for-5 with a double against Stroman, and De Aza is 1-for-3 with a double.