The Orioles announced today that they’ve designated outfielder Julio Borbon for assignment and reinstated Hyun Soo Kim from the 15-day disabled list. The club has also reinstated right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez from the paternity list, and he’ll take the spot of Dariel Alvarez, who was optioned out last night.
Borbon, 30, appeared in five games for the Orioles and totaled 11 plate appearances, going 2-for-9 with a pair of sacrifices. The former Rangers outfielder has spent the bulk of the season with Double-A Bowie, where he’s batted .289/.353/.373 with 20 stolen bases in 29 attempts. The brief big league stop with the O’s was the first taste of the Majors for Borbon since 2013, but he does have a fair amount of experience; in 874 Major League plate appearances, Borbon is a .272/.317/.346 hitter with 47 steals in 61 attempts.
I wish he had a bit more of a shot than 9 at bats. Maybe another team who is looking for a stop gap will pick him up.
I wish ubaldo had 12 more kids lined up and stayed on the paternity leave. Bourbon had more positive results in 9 at bats than all of ubaldos starts.
Borbon would be a good pickup for Marlins on the bench to pinch run and/or if Ichiro retires after he hits 3000 then borbon could be a good replacement on the bench.