Lough provides update on back

SARASOTA, Fla. - David Lough said he hopes to get back on the field within the next few days after being scratched from yesterday's Orioles lineup with back spasms.

Lough isn't listed among the reserves today and may not play on Thursday against the Tigers in Lakeland. He was supposed to start in center field yesterday against the Pirates in Bradenton, but his back tightened up before he could make the trip.

"I was in the batting cages picking up balls," he said. "I picked up a ball and my lower back started spasming on me and I could barely walk yesterday. I talked to the trainers. They kind of shut me down yesterday and I feel a lot better today.

"Hopefully, I'll be back tomorrow, maybe a couple days, whenever they feel like it's best for me to get back on the field."

The timing's never ideal, but Lough especially needs the at-bats. He's 5-for-27 this spring and in a heated competition for a backup role.

"After that day off (Monday), I was eager to come back and play in the game and get into the groove of things," said Lough, who batted .351/.387/.544 in the second half last season.

"It's one of those things that just happens. You can't really control it. So, it's just about getting back healthy and getting back to the field.

"I've never really had a back issue before, so I don't know what's stemming from it. Just trying to figure things out. I'm a man that tries to do that with my body and stuff. So, I'll get it right and be back soon."

Lough's encouraged by how much better the back feels this morning.

"I'm not concerned," he said. "It's a lot better today than it was yesterday, so it's a good sign knowing it's already healing."