Reimold's ROY bid shut down by Achilles' tendon injury

Rookie of the Year candidate Nolan Reimold was shut down by the Orioles on Friday, with the simultaneous announcement that he’d undergo surgery for an Achilles’ tendon injury next Wednesday.  He’s expected to need 3-4 months to recover, giving him plenty of time to get ready for spring training.

 

Reimold was the most productive hitter in the AL rookie class after an Adam Jones injury brought him to the majors in mid-May.  It originally figured to be a short-term assignment, but he took over as the everyday left fielder and hit .279/.365/.466 with 15 homers in 358 at-bats.  He also swiped eight bases in 10 attempts.

 

Realistically, Reimold needed a big final three weeks if he had any shot of winning any hardware.  Elvis Andrus has probably been at least as valuable as Reimold once defense is factored in.  Jeff Niemann has a 12-6 record and a 3.80 ERA as the AL‘s top rookie starter.  Also, Oakland‘s Andrew Bailey has been one of the circuit’s very best relievers and deserves strong consideration.

 

Reimold, though, accomplished exactly what he needed to this year.  He entered spring training with no chance at all of making the Orioles, yet now he’ll enter 2010 guaranteed of being the team’s primary left fielder.