masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOrioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez is expected to officially go on the disabled list tomorrow due to his right ankle injury. He could return to the team the sixth day out of the All-Star break. Jimenez said he fully expects to be back then.
“I don’t think it’s going to take a long time,” he said this afternoon. “If I were to tape it, I probably could pitch today, but I wouldn’t know how it was going to be after the game. That is why they don’t want me out there putting too much pressure…

Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez is expected to officially go on the disabled list tomorrow due to his right ankle injury. He could return to the team the sixth day out of the All-Star break. Jimenez said he fully expects to be back then.

“I don’t think it’s going to take a long time,” he said this afternoon. “If I were to tape it, I probably could pitch today, but I wouldn’t know how it was going to be after the game. That is why they don’t want me out there putting too much pressure on it, but it’s not going to take a long time.”

Jimenez rolled his ankle in a parking lot on Wednesday. He was slated to pitch today, but now is headed for the DL and more ice treatments to reduce the swelling.

“I just twisted my ankle,” he said. “I was walking and I didn’t pay attention to where I was going. My foot just slipped right out of my sandal and it twisted.”

Jimenez was asked if he knew right away his injury would send him to the DL.

“Not really,” he said. “It didn’t feel that bad, but I threw a bullpen and put a lot of pressure on it. When I woke up yesterday morning I was like, ‘Uh oh. This is going to be bad.’ It hurt a lot and was swollen yesterday.”

Jimenez missed some time with an ankle injury during the 2012 season.

“Yeah, but it’s not the same kind of injury,” he said. “Before, I hurt it pitching off the mound. It is just one of those things that happens. It could happen to any regular person and it probably wouldn’t be a big thing, but I’m a pitcher and I have to use my foot. Especially that foot.

“It’s crazy. I’ve never been on the DL because of my arm, elbow or anything like that. Only been on the DL for small injuries like my ankle or finger. Could happen to anyone.”

Jimenez said he is not sure if he’ll be asked to pitch in a rehab game or maybe a simulated game before he gets back on a major league mound.

Jimenez is 3-8 with a 4.52 ERA in 18 starts. In 99 2/3 innings, he has walked 60 and fanned 88. In 13 starts since May 1, he is 3-4 with an ERA of 3.73.

After the All-Star break last season, Jimenez had a big second half for Cleveland, going 6-5 with an ERA of 1.82. He said he is going to try to have a big second half this year for the Orioles.

“Yeah, there is no doubt it. I put that in my mind. Be ready for the second half. Give 100 percent. I always have a good second half and this one is no different,” he said.