Steve Pearce ready for rehab assignment

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

August 20, 2015, 8:15am

Comments

Orioles outfielder Steve Pearce is beginning his injury rehab assignment today with the Gulf Coast League team in Sarasota. He singled in his first at-bat as the leadoff hitter and designated hitter against the GCL Twins.

Pearce is on the disabled list retroactive to July 19 with a strained left oblique muscle. He took live batting practice again yesterday and survived a pitch from Chris Perez that nailed him in the back.

Pearce experienced a slight setback last week when his oblique tightened after taking batting practice. He hit off a tee and soft tosses earlier this week before progressing to yesterday's session.

A rehab assignment can last up to 20 days for a position player. The Orioles can avoid having to create a spot on the 25-man roster by waiting until Sept. 1 to activate Pearce.

Whether that's the plan is yet to be determined. Mananger Buck Showalter will address the subject later today during his pregame session with the media.

Pearce is batting .227/.290/.392 with six doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 24 RBIs in 58 games. He's a pending free agent.