The Baltimore Orioles optioned Bob McCrory to Triple-A Norfolk. To replace him on the big club’s roster, Nolan Reimold will be recalled.

Reimold is a 25-year-old outfielder with plus-power who has been dominating international league pitching in triple-a ball. He was hitting .394 (43-for-109) with 9 home runs and 27 RBI at Norfolk prior to the promotion. Having taken the field 31 times so far in 2009, Reimold’s batting average was the best in triple-a. So was his 1.228 OPS.

I’ll never be upset about a legitimate prospect getting called up to the show. With that in mind, I’m excited to see Reimold get on the field. I do, however, find it curious that the Orioles decided to promote Reimold right now.

Felix Pie still needs at-bats. So does Lou Montanez. And when neither of those two guys are in left field, DH Luke Scott (who has missed the past few games with an injury) is a solid solution.  So in other words there are three guys who can and do play left field in Baltimore already, and Reimold’s now being thrust into a platooning situation.

My question is: for what?

He’s something of a known commodity at this point. He’s going to hit for more power than average, but he’s going to hit. This much we know. He’s also going to play solid, but not spectacular, defense. Is he ready to play in the majors? Yes.

But to me there is a better question than that.

Would the organization be better off calling him up in a month or two, after finding out if Pie is a starter or a reserve by giving him some time to work through his troubles?

I’d answer yes to that as well.