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After holding their own on a 3-3 road trip, the Orioles are back at home for a seven-game homestand, starting with four against the Mariners. The O's are also welcoming back third baseman Tim Beckham, who was activated from the 60-day DL after a left groin strain sidelined him for 53 games.
Beckham was playing terribly before he went on the shelf, batting .179/.247/.262/.509 with one homer and four RBIs in 23 games while looking shaky defensively in his conversion to third base. He also didn't look particularly impressive in his rehab stint leading up to his return, going 3-for-23 for Bowie and Norfolk. Combine that with Beckham's putrid September of last season (.180/.255/.348/.603) and there's a real question of what the Orioles are going to get out of him moving forward.
Beckham's return pushes Danny Valencia to the bench, at least for tonight. Valencia isn't much of a defender but actually has the third-best OPS of any O's regular this year (.796). To make roster room for Beckham, Donnie Hart was optioned once again. I'd kind of forgotten he was on the roster.
Still, with Beckham's return, the Orioles finally have all nine of their expected 2018 regulars in the lineup once again, something that happened just twice this season before various injuries beset the club. Is that a good thing? I can't answer that. Let's see how it plays out.