SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts is out of the lineup for Friday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies with back spasms.
Roberts hasn’t played since Monday night against the New York Yankees when he slid head first into first base. He missed most of last season due to a herniated disk in his back and said Wednesday that he may have aggravated the condition.
He played in only 59 games last season because of the back injury and a concussion.
Manager Buck Showalter said Friday that Roberts had not improved. Even so, the manager wasn’t concerned about the second baseman’s availability for the season opener on April 1.
Roberts was not available for comment when the clubhouse was open Friday morning.
