BALTIMORE — Orioles center fielder Adam Jones was back in the lineup Sunday, and Baltimore is hopeful he can return to his normal routine.
Jones, who has been dealing with right shoulder tightness, played his first game since June 20. It was also the first time back in center field since June 15.
“I missed my teammates and missed being out there in the grind with the guys,” Jones said. “They’ve been playing good baseball, so, let’s see if we continue that today.
Jones went 0-for-4 with three putouts in the first game, a 4-0 Baltimore victory over Cleveland. Manager Buck Showalter held him out of the nightcap, an 8-0 win for the Orioles, but said Jones felt he could have played.
“It would have been easy and nice to write his name in the lineup again but with the doubleheader, take some caution there,” Showalter said. “But he came through that pretty good.”
Jones felt increased shoulder tightness during warmups before the June 19 game against the Blue Jays. As a result, Showalter shifted him from center field to designated hitter.
Jones was hampered by the injury for the past week, but had solid workouts over the past three days.
“It’s better, so I’m good. I’m ready to play,” Jones said. “It was good to have those five days without throwing. I’m good to go. I’m bored.”
On Friday, Showalter admitted that Jones could be headed to the disabled list if he didn’t feel better after the workouts. Showalter still warned that if Jones had more soreness following the games Sunday, the team still might have to consider a trip to the DL, but the veteran came through everything fine.