Roberts to DL, Avery rejoins team

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

July 03, 2012, 5:07pm

Comments

Second baseman Brian Roberts is going on the disabled list with a strained groin, which explains the Orioles' delay in posting tonight's lineup and outfielder Xavier Avery's arrival in Seattle. Avery has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk after being optioned on Sunday. He didn't need to spend the required 10 days in the minors because he's replacing a player who's on the DL. Roberts is batting .182/.233/.182 with five RBIs in 17 games. He sat out last night's 6-3 loss, so the DL assignment is backdated to Sunday. Avery is batting .222/.300/.361 with five doubles, one triple, one homer and six RBIs in 18 games with the Orioles. He gives the club a second true outfielder on the 25-man roster besides Adam Jones, and his defense in left is sorely needed. In Roberts' absence, Avery figures to handle the leadoff duties against right-handed starters. Avery played one game with Norfolk after rejoining them, going 2-for-3 last night with a triple, two walks, a stolen base and two runs scored. For the Orioles: Xavier Avery LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Jim Thome DH Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 1B Ryan Flaherty 3B Robert Andino 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP