O'Day hopeful surgery eradicates chronic issue

BALTIMORE -- Orioles reliever Darren O'Day -- whose season was declared over Saturday with the decision to get season-ending surgery on his left hamstring -- was visibly disappointed with the situation but optimistic about the outlook that he'll be able to eradicate his chronic problem once and for all.
O'Day said Sunday he plans to have his surgery in Baltimore, but the specific time and surgeon are still being determined. After the surgery, O'Day said he will be rather immobile initially, as his leg will need to be kept in a specific position to heal properly. But a six-month recovery period should get him back in time for Spring Training -- hopefully hamstring issue-free.
"It'll a pretty arduous recovery, but it'll put me in better shape next year to compete and not always be wondering if my hamstring will go again," O'Day said. "The weakness in my hamstring is with my hamstring tendons, and it's been on and off. Once I get it fixed, hopefully I don't have to worry about it again."
O'Day said he's been dealing with issues with both hamstrings at some point or another dating all the way back to his time in the Minors in 2007. While he's been able to take time off to allow the other injuries to heal, this Grade 2 strain is the most intense issue he's dealt with, saying he felt a big pop when he had to leave the game Tuesday.
"It's a different animal. The other ones, I could just kind of rehab and come back -- there's still enough hamstring there that's hanging on," O'Day said, adding this time around the injury has affected his daily life, making sitting for too long uncomfortable. "This one is not likely that I would come back and be competitive without getting it fixed.
"It was an easier decision to make," O'Day said about knowing he can be back in time for next year. "Even when you're [doing] terribly like [the Orioles] are, it's still a privilege to play. … I'll miss that, but the goal is to continue to play."
O'Day is the second Orioles reliever to have season-ending surgery along with Richard Bleier. They had been the most consistent bullpen arms in an otherwise rocky year for Baltimore's relievers.

And with Zach Britton and Brad Brach very possibly out the door soon with the non-wavier Trade Deadline looming on July 31, the Baltimore bullpen and its 4.38 ERA (entering Sunday) could be completely flipped on its head for the rest of the season.
"That's the nature of the game," O'Day said. "But Richard and I being done for the year is opportunities for two guys. … Some of these young guys are going to have to be ready for this opportunity. They're going to be thrown into tough positions. … It'll be exciting to watch these guys, develop, pitch, kind of get their feet wet and grow as players and pitchers."
Schoop to return Tuesday in Philly
Jonathan Schoop, who is being given time to reset from a disappointing first half of the season, was out of the lineup for the second straight day on Sunday. Steve Wilkerson got his second straight start at second base.
Manager Buck Showalter said Schoop was available to pinch-hit on Sunday, but the plan is to reinsert the second basemen into the lineup for Tuesday's series opener in Philadelphia.
Rasmus out sick
Outfielder Colby Rasmus is ill, or else he would have started on Sunday, Showalter said. If he progresses throughout the day, Rasmus could be used as a pinch-hitter or defensive substitute.
Jace Peterson started in right field with Danny Valencia also out of the lineup.