Outfielder Seth Smith saw improvement in his strained right hamstring – he tested the leg by running in the outfield and taking batting practice before Friday night's series opener against the Boston Red Sox – a marked improvement the Orioles needed to see as they neared a decision on whether to place him on the 10-day disabled list.
The club didn’t need the left-handed-hitting Smith to start Friday against Boston left-hander Drew Pomeranz, and the Orioles face another lefty Sunday in former Oriole Eduardo Rodriguez, but Smith’s inactivity is clogging a valuable roster spot.