Mike Bordick admitted that the thought that his major league career may be over did cross his mind. After all, the Baltimore Orioles shortstop, who suffered a second degree separation of his right shoulder, is 36 and injuries don’t heal as quickly as when you’re 16 or 26 or even 30.

But Bordick, a Winterport native and former University of Maine star, said he is progressing nicely and hopes to be patrolling the left side of the Baltimore Orioles infield within a month.

He was placed on the disabled list on June 14 after being injured turning a double play against the New York Mets, with whom he played the final 56 games of the regular season and the playoffs last year. He was traded to the National League champs by the Orioles and played in his second World Series.

He re-signed with the Orioles as a free agent in December and was hitting .249 with seven homers, 13 doubles, 30 RBIs, and nine stolen bases. He has one more year left on his contract.

“The shoulder is coming along. I started throwing four days ago,” said Bordick from his hotel room in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday. “Now it’s just a matter of getting the arm strength back. Initially, I had a lot of concerns. But the doctors and trainers said there is a pretty high success rate coming back from an injury like this one. If it was a third-degree separation, it would have been questionable.”

He didn’t do anything for two weeks following the injury in order to rest the shoulder but has slowly rehabilitated it through exercises and weight training.

“I don’t have any pain. I do get some stiffness because I’m starting to do things I haven’t done in a while. That will subside as I get into it a little more,” said Bordick, a career .261 hitter.

“I’ve been swinging a bat pain-free, although I did feel it in a couple of spots. Pitches down and away put a lot of stress on it, so I’m staying away from those [for a while],” said Bordick, who hopes to do a rehab stint in the minors within the next two weeks.

There has been no shortage of activity surrounding the Orioles while Bordick has been sidelined.

Cal Ripken, whom he replaced at shortstop when Ripken was moved over to third, has announced his retirement at the end of the season and a freight train derailed in a tunnel near the Orioles’ ballpark, Camden Yards, and leaked hazardous chemicals, prompting the postponement of three games against Texas.

“Ever since Cal announced his retirement, a lot of pretty amazing things have happened to him,” said Bordick. “It’s special to be a part of it. Every time he goes into a city, they pay tribute to him. They’ve shown him that respect.”

Bordick said he and some of the other Orioles have talked with the firefighters who are battling the fire in the train tunnel.

“It was pretty scary for a while. The whole city was fearful. The firefighters did a great job. They had to work in 20-minute shifts because it was so hot down there. They were in a tunnel full of smoke with no light and twisted metal everywhere.”

Although his Orioles aren’t going to make the playoffs, he sees a great race in the AL East between Boston and New York.

“The Yankees are the team to beat, for sure, but the Red Sox will get a big boost when Nomar [Garciaparra], Pedro [Martinez], and [Carl] Everett return,” said Bordick. “Pitching is the key down the stretch and Pedro is the best.”

NEWS’ Ward is already missed

In Webster’s New World Dictionary, one of the definitions of a gentleman is: “a courteous, gracious man with a strong sense of honor.”

You could affix a picture of the late Ken Ward next to that definition.

The Railbird had a tremendous passion for life, family, and humanity. Not to mention the ponies.

May he rest in peace. He is already sorely missed by the Bangor Daily News family.