Returning Orioles could provide exactly what Baltimore's lineup needs

Stop me if you've heard this one before: (insert Oriole here) is back, and it couldn't have come at a better time for a Baltimore ballclub in need of a pick-me-up.

That award will be given to Zach Eflin on Sunday, but Friday it went to outfielder Tyler O'Neill, who is back on the active roster after missing time with a neck injury.

“I don’t like missing games," O'Neill said ahead of Friday's series-opening win in Anaheim. "I want to be in the lineup every day with these guys contributing how I can. I’m happy that I’m back now. Unfortunately, I had to take a little bit of time, but the main thing here is that I’m feeling a lot better because of it.”

Baltimore's struggles against left-handed pitching have been well documented, and a healthy O'Neill figures to be a big part of moving those stats in the right direction. The slugger, who noted that his neck injury had messed with his batting stance and approach, had just two hits against left-handers to begin the season. But in his career, the Canadian has an on-base plus slugging percentage close to .900 against lefties with 32 home runs. Even a .700 OPS against southpaws would be a huge boost.

And he's not the only one who could improve those numbers. In the coming weeks, the (insert Oriole here) award will be handed to infielders Ramon Urias and Jordan Westburg, who are both nearing their returns, according to Brandon Hyde.

Urias, who is "doing really well" according to the skipper, could be back in the middle of next week. The former Gold Glove winner is hitting .333 with a .984 OPS against left-handers in 21 plate appearances this season.

And how about those issues with runners in scoring position? Westburg is a bit behind schedule, according to Hyde, but should still be back within the next few weeks. In those situations in his All-Star campaign last year, Westburg hit .281 with a .923 OPS.

Slowly but surely, the Orioles are getting some important pieces back. A turnaround is going to take a full-team effort, and getting that team back on the field goes a long way.

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