The Orioles wrap up their series against the Reds this afternoon, going for the sweep, and I’m unwrapping three more questions that hang in the air. At least where I’m breathing.
The good news is there’s a definite answer to the first one.
What the heck happened to Terrin Vavra?
Vavra posted photos recently on his Instagram account with a caption about “the most trying 10 months of my career” and offering thanks for the support he’s received. The first photo showed Vavra in his hospital bed holding one of his children.
Was this a new surgery on his shoulder that would perhaps ruin his chances of playing in 2024, or was he celebrating the end of his rehab from his original labrum procedure last fall?
The latter, apparently, since Vavra played yesterday in a Florida Complex League game in Sarasota.
Vavra led off and played first base in the Orioles’ 8-6 loss to the Pirates. He was 0-for-3 with an RBI and a hit-by-pitch that didn’t force him out of the game.
“Absolutely thrilled,” said Anthony Villa, who was promoted during the offseason from minor league hitting coordinator to director of player development. “He started his rehab assignment and just happy that he’s healthy and back playing.
“Terrin’s a true professional. We think he’s a fine young man. The way he carries himself, it is incredible. He’s encountered some difficult circumstances and he’s handled them like a true professional.”
The plan is to get Vavra back to Triple-A Norfolk and see whether he can be a left-handed bat option for the Orioles later in the summer. He broke camp with them last year after an outstanding spring training – I abused the “Terrin it up” pun on the former Twitter – and made nine starts in right field, four in left and one as designated hitter and appeared in two games at third base and one at second.
Vavra went 12-for-49, all of his hits singles, and didn’t play for the Orioles after May 31.
Jackson Holliday is the likely first call-up if the Orioles want a left-handed hitting second baseman. His return to Norfolk won’t constitute a brief reset but he isn’t expected to spend the bulk of his summer in the minors.
I’d rate him much closer to brief than bulk on that scale.
