Tonight, the Orioles see if their strategy worked -- albeit a bit earlier than they expected.

Arthur Rhodes, who has spent the past five weeks at Triple-A Rochester, will start in place of injured Sid Fernandez tonight as the Orioles try to win their second in a row at Jacobs Field. Fernandez was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 19, with a strained muscle in his rib cage.

Rhodes was last seen booking a flight north after a one-plus inning, five-run performance that led to a 5-4 Orioles' loss to the New York Yankees May 21.

Many people believe Rhodes belongs in Triple-A for the entire season after exiting Baltimore more than a month ago with a 1-5 record and an ERA of 9.00.

And Rhodes may have stayed in Rochester this season if not for Fernandez's injury. So the Orioles will get a chance to see if minor-league ball has helped tame the wild left-hander, or if he's been brought up too soon again.

At Rochester, Rhodes put together a 3-3 record in six starts and a 3.21 ERA. In 15 more innings than he pitched at Baltimore, Rhodes struck out 16 more batters, gave up eight fewer earned runs and two fewer home runs.

Additionally, Rhodes has given up fewer walks. At Baltimore, he walked 19 in 27 innings. At Rochester, he walked 18 in 42 innings.

The Cleveland Indians will send another recent Triple-A call-up to the mound. Jason Grimsley is 1-0 with a 2.93 ERA. He could face a reshuffled Orioles lineup if Brady Anderson is unable to play tonight after straining a hamstring muscle last night.