With outfielder Joey Rickard's return from the disabled list before Friday night's series opener at Yankee Stadium, the Orioles regain the valuable ability to play matchups with their corner outfielders.
It particularly comes into the play this weekend, when the Orioles will face two left-handed starters against the New York Yankees. The Orioles expected to see left-handed starting pitchers in four of six games starting Friday, allowing manager Buck Showalter to use right-handed platoon batters Rickard, rookie Trey Mancini and veteran Craig Gentry in the corner outfield spots.