MILWAUKEE — MILWAUKEE -- Orioles manager Dave Trembley met with Melvin Mora, Kevin Millar and Aubrey Huff before last night's game and informed them of his lineup plans for the series.
It appears to be a plan everybody can agree on. As a result of playing the next nine games in National League ballparks, Trembley will lose his designated hitter, essentially meaning the three veterans can't all be in the lineup at once. The plan for now is for each of them to get a day off in the three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Last night was Millar's turn as Huff played first base and Mora remained at third.
Huff will likely play third tonight with Mora taking a seat and Millar returning to first, and then Huff will likely be on the bench for the start of tomorrow's game against Brewers left-hander Manny Parra.
"When you lose the DH and we have so many guys that can play different positions, he should be able to get us all in," Huff said. "I'll probably play the next two then sit against the lefty on Sunday. ... It's a nice little [rotation]. I think he's going to try to get us two out of three games, which is fair."
Trembley stopped short of announcing his lineup for the series but said he will use a rotation system.
"I think all you do is you communicate," Trembley said. "That's what we've done. We laid the groundwork earlier this week and talked to them about possibilities. It's a team game, and I've been fortunate that all these guys have understood that."
'Wait and see' on Matusz
The Orioles remain in daily contact with Mark Agar, the agent for first-round pick Brian Matusz, though the two sides still haven't reached a deal. That doesn't alarm Orioles scouting director Joe Jordan, who remains confident that the Orioles will soon reach an agreement with the left-handed pitcher from the University of San Diego.
"Nothing has changed," Jordan said. "I think it's kind of wait and see. We're trying to move it forward, but it's slow. I'm not worried about this at all. I still feel good about it. We're just trying to make it a situation where everyone is happy. The kid is excited about getting started, but the business side has to run its course. We have no problems."
The Orioles have until Aug. 15 to reach agreement with Matusz or they will forfeit his draft rights.
Around the horn
Trembley said he won't consider using Mora at shortstop during interleague play barring a double switch or an emergency. ... Reliever Randor Bierd (right shoulder impingement) successfully got through a two-inning rehabilitation outing in the Gulf Coast League. ... Trembley also said he doesn't see Danys Baez, who had ligament-reconstruction surgery in October, being available until May. ... Through three games with the Atlantic League's Long Island Ducks, former Oriole Jay Gibbons is 3-for-12 with two doubles and three RBIs.
jeff.zrebiec@baltsun.com