As the Baltimore Orioles fight a crowded American League East, they will have to do so without star outfielder Adam Jones for the time being after he injured his oblique.

Continue for updates.


Jones Out with Oblique Injury

Thursday, April 7

According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, Jones has been suffering discomfort. More news is expected later on Thursday.  

Buck Showalter said he thinks Jones’ injury “is just a one-day thing,” per Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun. Showalter said Jones first felt the injury on his final at-bat on Wednesday, per Roch Kubatko of MASN.

Jones was a rock in Baltimore’s lineup from 2010-14. He has played in at least 149 games in every season since 2010, missing no more than three games in a season from 2012-14.

Last year saw Jones miss 25 gameshis most in a single season since 2009due to a series of small nagging problems, notably to his back and ankle.

Baltimore will miss Jones’ production, as he’s hit at least 25 homers in each of the last five years, though the Orioles have power hitters like Chris Davis and Manny Machado to survive without the 30-year-old.

However, it will take a huge effort from the rest of the Orioles lineup to keep pace with Boston, New York and Toronto in the division.

The four-time Gold Glove winner will not be easy to replace, as he has been among the most valuable center fielders in baseball since joining Baltimore’s starting lineup, ranking fifth in the majors with 18.8 wins above replacement between 2010 and 2014, per FanGraphs.

Jones’ ability to hit for average and power makes him a key component in the middle of the order for the Orioles.

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