TODAY: Mancini commented on his situation via Twitter (both links), saying “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone for their kind sentiments and well wishes. It further drives home the fact that I am surrounded by the best family, friends/teammates, and fans that I could ever ask for. Once there is more clarity, I will be sure to keep everyone updated over the next few days. I look forward to a healthy recovery and being back on the field soon!“
MARCH 7: Trey Mancini has left Orioles camp and is set to undergo a medical procedure unrelated to baseball, reports Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun. While manager Brandon Hyde shared as much with the media today, the Orioles have refrained from commenting further out of respect for Mancini’s privacy.
So while further details are unknown, Hyde added that Mancini would “miss some time” as a result of the procedure. As for a more precise timetable, we’ll have to wait and see. And with Opening Day just about three weeks away, Mancini’s status for the beginning of the season is up in the air, but concerns about roster construction seem secondary to Mancini’s overall health at this point.
From a baseball perspective, there’s arguably no player more critical to the Orioles’ roster than Mancini. He serves as the linchpin to an offense that scored the fifth-fewest runs in the American League last year, so removing him from the middle of the order could send the O’s offense into disarray. By all accounts, he’s regarded as a leader in the Baltimore clubhouse and has emerged as the undisputed face of the team.
Last year, Mancini put up career-best numbers in virtually every meaningful offensive category, clubbing 35 home runs, driving in 97 runs, and compiling a .291/.364/.535 slash line. At least some of his growth as a hitter can be attributed to a more discerning approach at the plate: he improved his walk rate to a career-high 9.3% while his strikeout rate dipped to 21.1%, the lowest mark of his three-plus year Major League career. Combine that with his innate ability to hit the ball hard, and you have a recipe for a middle-of-the-order slugger.
While the uncertainty of Mancini’s medical situation is worrisome, his manager had the following to say: “We hate to see Trey miss time, but hope it’s not too long,” Hyde told MASN’s Roch Kubatko. Stay tuned for further information as the situation gains clarity. Here’s hoping that Mancini is back to full-go before too long.
