Pending roster moves

While much of today's fan attention is on the status of embattled manager Dave Trembley and whether he still has a job come tomorrow (it seems he will), it appears that the front office's focus is on getting a healthy 25-man roster.

Koji Uehara (right elbow strain) and Alfredo Simon (strained left hamstring) are both expected to be placed on the disabled list tomorrow, leaving two vacancies in the bullpen. I still think one of them will be filled by starter David Hernandez, whose next scheduled start on Thursday at home against the Oakland A's could be skipped and given to Brad Bergesen, who would be on regular rest for that start.

Because of today's off day, the Orioles won't need a fifth starter until Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays. I'm hearing that no final decisions have been made so this is part informed speculation, but I think that Chris Tillman or Jake Arrieta will make that start on Saturday in Toronto. Again, nothing has been decided, but I think Tillman has the upper hand because he is on the 40-man roster, and he pitches tonight against Triple-A Rochester, meaning that he'd be on regular rest. Arrieta, on the other hand, pitches tomorrow night, and the Orioles aren't going to have one of their top pitching prospects make his big league debut on three days' rest. There is always the possibility that the team scratches Arrieta tomorrow night, which will take all the drama out of the decision.

Anyway, there is still is the matter of filling the two roster spots tomorrow with Uehara and Simon headed to the disabled list. The Orioles could recall Alberto Castillo, who wouldn't need to stay down in Triple-A for 10 days because it's an injury situation. Other options include Ross Wolf, Dennis Sarfate, Frank Mata and Armando Gabino. Mata, the Tides' closer, is probably throwing the ball the best, but he, like the rest of the candidates other than Castillo, would need to be added to the 40-man roster. Kam Mickolio also wouldn't need to be added as he's on the 40-man, but he has a 7-plus ERA and some recent back issues, so I'd think he's a long shot.

Either way, one of the pitchers added tomorrow could be returned back to Triple-A on Saturday to make room for Tillman or Arrieta.

Stay tuned. It could be an interesting couple of days.