Skip to main content

Orioles’ Roberts set to begin rehab assignment

By WTOP Staff

Craig Heist, wtop.com

BALTIMORE – After not playing in a game since May 16 last year at Fenway Park because of the effects of concussion-like symptoms, Brian Roberts will begin a minor league rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie Wednesday night.

Roberts hopes the assignment is the final step toward making his return to the Baltimore Orioles. But after everything he’s been through and the setbacks he’s endured, there is a certain amount of apprehension about what Wednesday night will bring.

“I’m excited. Scared. A little bit of everything,” Roberts said. “It’s been a long time coming, for sure. Sometimes it seems like two days and sometimes it seems like 10 years, but I’m extremely excited.”

The plan for Roberts is to rehab for 20 days. Just how that will take shape will depend on the circumstances and how his body responds as he goes through his rehab.

“I’ll play second for the first day or two,” he said. “I’ll get a couple of at-bats and then mix in a DH (designated hitter) shortly after that, maybe a third day and then take a day off.

“You know, it will be whatever we feel like is right at the time. It’s essentially spring training again.”

Roberts’ rehab assignment is scheduled to last 20 days, and the second baseman is planning on using all of it.

“It’s been over a year and I need to get the at-bats. I’ve stood in on some bullpen sessions and it looks pretty fast so I need to get in there and see some pitches,” he said. “The first days or the first week it’s only going to be two at-bats a day or maybe three toward the end of that week.

“So it’s going to take a little to build up to getting ready to play every day on the back-to-back situation and play a day game after a night game and play 18 innings and get 10 at-bats and all that sort of thing, so I’ll use as much time as we can.”

The biggest question surrounding Roberts now is if he can return to the player he once was.

“You know, I can’t say I’m going to be Brian Roberts tomorrow,” he said. “I’m not going to go out there probably and be running into walls tomorrow. But I am going to get out there and it’s going to be a progression and I hope that by the time I join our major league team that yes, I’ll be the same guy I was five years ago.”

The news of Roberts heading out to start his rehab was met with great enthusiasm inside the Orioles’ clubhouse, because almost everyone to a man understands what a healthy Brian Roberts can mean to this team going forward.

“He’s the leader in this clubhouse,” said Orioles catcher Matt Wieters. “He’s the guy we would all like to have on the field so we’re all hoping for the best for him and knowing that he’s excited to get out there playing again.”

“I think everyone is excited for him but there is so much unknown,” said Orioles skipper Buck Showalter. “I wouldn’t say it’s anxiety, it’s just the next step and he’s prepared himself and I’ve seen how hard he’s been working to get ready for this day.

“There’s a nice little buzz about him going out of here. We all know he can make us better if we can get him back like he’s capable.”

Roberts admits he feels fine and he has been diving for ground balls during drills. He also suggested he may have to change his base-stealing tactics because when he dove back into a base in that game last year at Fenway, that’s when his symptoms came back.

“You know, maybe I’ll make some adjustments and I’ll slide feet-first a little more often,” he said. “I don’t know, maybe it’s just one of those situations that keeps evolving and every day I go out there, I’ll get more and more comfortable I’m sure.”

It’s the last step in the long road to recovery. And in three weeks, the Orioles are hoping they will finally have their second baseman back.

Follow Craig Heist and WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote