With all the cold and snow that we have been having, I was so looking forward to spring training. However, before the Orioles pitchers and catchers have even hit the field, we already have injury news — a constant with this organization lately (“Orioles’ Jackson Holliday has broken bone in hand, will miss opening day,” Feb. 11).
Some injuries just happen, like what happened to Jackson Holliday when he broke his hand during a batting practice. That’s the nature of the game. Others, like the oblique strain to Jordan Westburg, seem to be a recurring theme, not just bad luck. It’s a clear sign that the player in question is injury-prone and can’t be depended on, no matter his potential.
Westburg is a walking Injured List candidate and can’t be depended on at all. Nothing is going to change that, no matter what anybody thinks. Tyler O’Neill is another player who history says can’t be depended on, with more than 15 trips to the IL already in his career. You can’t have those types of players on your roster, whether it’s fair or unfair.
The Orioles have changed training methods, fired trainers and still have more than their share of injuries. All teams deal with injuries, that’s true, but it’s important to evaluate more than a player’s skill set. At least that’s what you do if you have a good organization. It appears the current management team has not done a very good job of doing that.
— Bob Lancione, Towson
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