Orioles manager Buck Showalter alluded heavily to the idea that the Orioles won't stay on turn with their improving rotation, and said right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez might be the one it's adjusted for.
Jimenez is on the paternity list following his wife's delivery of their first baby, and Showalter said he'd return Tuesday once the three allotted days away were up.
"The game in Minnesota, we're contemplating what we're going to do there for that game, whether we're going to stay in turn or move some things around because we're trying to get to that off-day on [Aug. 1]," Showalter said.
"We're going to have to kind of wait and see how we get through the next couple days before we commit to Thursday, see where Ubaldo fits in when he gets back tomorrow. We've been looking at a lot of stuff, matchup-wise, ballpark, different things, see if there's a good way to go forward today. We're trying to accomplish some things with a couple young pitchers, see if we want to get them an extra day or not.
That rest could come in handy down the road, as the Orioles have just one day off after the Aug. 1 rest day, and that's a travel day home at the end of a 10-game road trip that's spent primarily in the Bay Area. Still, the Orioles' starters have posted a 2.90 since the All-Star break, and they seem to have found a groove that the group has desperately needed this year.
Showalter's nod toward matchups and ballparks could be a clue to Jimenez' candidacy, considering he had his best start of the season back on April 7 against the Twins. He's also fared well at Target Field in the past.
Still, he hasn't pitched since June 8, and owns a 7.38 ERA and 1.971 WHIP this season. Showalter said the time off could help as much as it hinders him.
"It might actually be good for him. Who knows? There's two ways to look at it. It might be a nice little freshen up, to get away from things. He's been throwing, doing a lot of work. He throws. Sometimes, when he doesn't get into a game, he stays down there and [pitching coach Dave Wallace], as soon as the game's over, he goes down there and they throw. We'll see if he's a candidate for a start here shortly."
Other candidates, if the Orioles are trying to add another man into the rotation to provide extra rest for other starters, could be Tyler Wilson or Odrisamer Despaigne. Wilson is up in Jimenez' spot to provide length out of the bullpen, while Despaigne pitched 3 2/3 shutout innings Friday.
Around the horn: Showalter said he hopes left fielder Hyun Soo Kim can be activated Tuesday, depending on how his rehab appearance in Double-A Bowie goes Monday. He's eligible to return Tuesday from a hamstring injury. … Left-hander T.J. McFarland (knee) is nearing a return to the mound, Showalter said. … Outfielder Dariel Alvarez got the start in right field Monday, his first start of the season in this his second stint with the club.