Pearce to undergo surgery (and other notes)

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Steve Pearce will undergo surgery after being placed on the 60-day disabled list today with a strained right flexor mass. It's not ligament-replacement surgery, according to manager Buck Showalter, but tears will be repaired and the rehab will last four to six months.

Pearce wants to be ready by April and made the decision, after consulting with a doctor and his agent, to have the procedure done right away. The Orioles understood and will move forward without him.

Whether Pearce stays an Oriole in 2017 is unclear at the moment.

"That's something we'll discuss when the season is over," Showalter said.

Pearce is a pending free agent again and wants to present himself as being able to play by opening day.

The Orioles reacquired Pearce from the Rays on Aug. 1 for minor league catcher Jonah Heim. Pearce batted .217/.329/.400 (13-for-60) with two doubles, three home runs and six RBIs in 25 games.

Recurring discomfort in the forearm/elbow area led to a platelet-rich plasma injection early last week.

Dariel Alvarez wasn't an option to join the Orioles today because his wife is having complications with her pregnancy and he flew home. He could be recalled later this month as an extra outfielder.

Showalter said having Nolan Reimold, Michael Bourn and Drew Stubbs on the roster gives the Orioles ample "coverage" in the outfield. Also, Chris Davis could play the outfield while Trey Mancini goes to first base.

Joey Rickard's right thumb isn't healing to the point where he can swing a bat without pain and his return isn't imminent. He could need surgery to repair the ligament if his condition remains the same, "but we're not there yet," Showalter said.

Left-hander Wade Miley's wife is due to give birth around Oct. 1 and the pitcher will leave the team if the Orioles are still playing.

Showalter said Ravens coach John Harbaugh contacted him to thank the organization for last night's moment of silence for defensive assistant coach Clarence Brooks, who died yesterday after battling esophageal cancer. He was 65.