The Orioles welcomed a former Bird back into the fold moments before the trade deadline, reportedly re-acquiring outfielder Steve Pearce from the Tampa Bay Rays Aug. 1.
Pearce, 33, has spent parts of four previous seasons with the Orioles from 2012-2015. He had a breakout year with the Birds in 2014 when he posted career bests in every major offensive category, batting .293/.373/.556/.930 with 21 home runs and 49 RBIs during 102 games. However, Pearce's numbers fell back to earth in 2015, as he batted .218 with a .711 OPS during 92 games, and the Birds elected not to re-sign him in free agency. Pearce signed a one-year, $4.75 million deal with the Rays Jan. 28.
So far in 2016, however, Pearce has nearly duplicated his sizzling 2014 season. During 60 games, he's batting .309/.388/.520/.908 with 10 homers and 29 RBIs. He has especially excelled against left-handed pitchers, torching them for a .377 average and a 1.212 OPS in 63 plate appearances.
