Orioles 2B Roberts hopes to be ready for opener

Mar 10, 2010 - 8:29 PM SARASOTA, Fla.(AP) -- Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts said Wednesday he is better, two days after feeling ill. He said he wasn't sure if the illness was due to a medication given during his rehabilitation for a back injury.

Roberts, who led the American League with 56 doubles last season, has yet to play this spring. To speed his recuperation from the back injury, Orioles medical personnel gave him some medication on Sunday. On Monday night, he reported feeling ill.

Roberts said he hopes to resume some baseball activities on Thursday.

On Tuesday, Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said he expected Roberts to be ready for Opening Day on Apr. 6, but admitted concern.

Roberts said he thought the situation wasn't ideal but he'd be ready for the team's first game.

"It's not ideal," Roberts said, "but I'm not concerned about missing Opening Day yet."

Orioles manager Dave Trembley said he'd like to get Roberts between 25-30 at-bats before the season opener. Roberts has no idea when he'll be ready.

"I'd rather be fully healthy and get 15 at-bats than try to push it and get 30 at-bats and start off less than 100 percent," Roberts said.

"We still have three-and-a-half weeks, so I'm certainly not in panic mode."