masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOrioles outfielder Nolan Reimold said he expects to begin his injury-rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A Bowie.

“That’s what I’m shooting for,” he said.

Reimold ran sprints and did quick bursts today before the heavy rain arrived at Camden Yards. As long as his right hamstring didn’t bark, he would be cleared to start playing again.

“It’s feeling better. I’ve made a lot of progress,” he said.

“I think you know when you’re past the point where you’re going to keep having…Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold said he expects to begin his injury-rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A Bowie.

“That’s what I’m shooting for,” he said.

Reimold ran sprints and did quick bursts today before the heavy rain arrived at Camden Yards. As long as his right hamstring didn’t bark, he would be cleared to start playing again.

“It’s feeling better. I’ve made a lot of progress,” he said.

“I think you know when you’re past the point where you’re going to keep having setbacks. I’m getting to that point and if I keep doing my progression and keep doing my workout, I’ll be all right.”

Reimold hasn’t appeared in a game since May 11 because of a small tear in his hamstring. He’s batting .188/.257/.327 with four homers and nine RBIs in 101 at-bats.

Asked how many at-bats he’d need in the minors, Reimold said, “I don’t know how that works. Maybe it’s up to me. I’m not sure. I don’t know what the limit is for rehab games.”

It’s 20 days for a position player.

“Well, that’s a little much,” he said, grinning. “I wouldn’t do that.”

Reimold estimated that he could rejoin the 25-man roster within a week after starting his assignment.

“I’ve got to get a few at-bats,” he said. “I wouldn’t say pressure-free at-bats, but a few at-bats where I can just get back into the swing of things and get comfortable.”

The Orioles will need to make room for Reimold on the roster. Steve Pearce’s spot could be in jeopardy because he’s also a right-handed hitting outfielder. Danny Valencia, also a right-handed hitter, could be optioned.

Also on the injury front, pitcher Steve Johnson felt mild improvement in his left oblique for the first time today. Brian Roberts hit in the cage at Camden Yards. Wilson Betemit continues to take ground balls in Sarasota.

Wei-Yin Chen threw off a half-mound today in Sarasota and will throw off a regular mound on Saturday. He will join the Orioles on the road for his next workout before going on an injury-rehab assignment.

“Give him a taste of Detroit,” Showalter said.

Showalter can’t provide a timetable for Chen’s return to the rotation until he throws for pitching coach Rick Adair in Detroit.

“We won’t bring him unless he’s not feeling anything and he’s ready to get it sped up a little bit,” Showalter said.

Second baseman Alexi Casilla is available to pinch-run again tonight, but his finger hasn’t improved enough to allow him to start. Casilla’s finger bent backward after it slammed into the foot of a Rays infielder who was covering second base Sunday on a stolen base attempt.