Pearce optimistic that he won't go on disabled list

OAKLAND - Steve Pearce expressed confidence this afternoon that he will avoid the disabled list and return to the field later this week.

Pearce received a cortisone injection in his right forearm Sunday after leaving the game in the fifth inning. He's been receiving treatment and had an electronic stimulator attached near the elbow today while talking to the media at his locker.

"It's feeling better than yesterday," he said. "It's getting better day-by-day, so that's the route we're taking right now."

Pearce gave as succinct response when asked whether he would remain on the active roster.

"Yeah," he said.

Pearce expects to get back into the lineup during the road trip that includes three games in San Francisco.

"Oh yeah, definitely," he said. "I think right now we're just trying to get it to calm down and get it to where I can hit."

The Orioles knew Pearce was experiencing some discomfort in the forearm before acquiring him from the Rays for minor league catcher Jonah Heim at the non-waiver deadline.

"Probably a couple months, but it's been under control," he said. "I think it just flared up going back in the outfield and throwing the baseball. Right now, we're just trying to get it calmed down and get back on the field."

Pearce hadn't played the outfield with the Rays this season.

"It was one of the reasons," he said. "We had a pretty good outfield down there. There wasn't much of an opportunity for me. I was able to keep it under control by not playing the outfield.

"I went through this before a couple of months ago. It feels no worse than it did a while ago. This is something that is controllable and we can get it under control."

Pearce wants to get back in the pennant race, which is harder from the trainer's room. He believes that he can make a difference.

"I definitely feel that it's good because I know I'm capable of doing it," he said. "Just to get this under control and we get this all behind us and move forward and try to make a run at the playoffs."