Payton, Hernandez nearing possible return

 

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -Injured Baltimore Orioles outfielder Jay Payton and catcher Ramon Hernandez could be back in lineup by Friday.
Payton, sidelined by a strained left hamstring, is scheduled to play in an extended spring training game on Tuesday. If that goes well, Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo said Payton would play two games with Triple-A Norfolk before rejoining the team on Friday.
Hernandez has been out with a strained left oblique. He took part in a soft toss session and will take batting practice Tuesday. A return Wednesday is possible.
Also Monday, outfielder Corey Patterson went on bereavement leave following the death of his grandfather. Perlozzo said Patterson might return for Wednesday’s game.
Outfielder Adam Stern was recalled from Norfolk. The Orioles also purchased the contract of outfielder Jon Knott from Norfolk and pitcher Kurt Birkins was optioned to Norfolk.
Perlozzo said bench coach Tom Trebelhorn could return Thursday. He spent much of the past two months in Arizona with his wife, who had an aneurism and stroke in February.