The Orioles returned home from their three-city, 10-game road trip to the friendly confines of Camden Yards to face the Blue Jays, who earned a four-game sweep of Kansas City over the weekend.
Lots of pregame news around the yard today:
-- The sickness bug going around the Orioles clubhouse hit closer Jim Johnson, who went to the hospital early this morning with flu-like symptoms. Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he will likely not be available for tonight's game. Showalter wouldn't discuss how he plans on using his bullpen in the late innings in Johnson's absence.
-- Orioles infielder Robert Andino will leave the team following tonight's game and travel to Miami to be with his wife, who is scheduled to give birth on Wednesday. Andino will miss tomorrow's game and likely also miss Thursday's game, but will likely return for Friday's game vs. Oakland, Showalter said.
-- The Orioles will call up a player to replace Andino, who will be on paternity leave, but who that player is will depend on the health of leftfielder Nolan Reimold, who is still battling neck spasms. Showalter said that Reimold is day-to-day and could have been in today's starting lineup -- Endy Chavez will start in left tonight -- but that playing in games hasn't helped his recovery. Showalter said he's still optimistic that Reimold can avoid the DL. Matt Antonelli is a possible call-up because he's on the 40-man roster and could add depth in both the infield and outfield.
-- Ryan Flaherty will make his first home start today at third base. While Showalter continues to try to get Flaherty some starts, it's also to give third baseman Mark Reynolds some time off to get out of his hitting funk. Renyolds is hitting .125 and is homerless in 48 at bats.
Here are today's lineups:
Blue Jays
Yunel Escobar SS
Kelly Johnson 2B
Jose Bautista RF
Edwin Encarnacion DH
Adam Lind 1B
Brett Lawrie 3B
Colby Rasmus CF
Eric Thames LF
Jeff Mathis C
Henderson Alvarez RHP
Orioles
Endy Chavez LF
J.J. Hardy SS
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Matt Wieters C
Chris Davis 1B
Wilson Betemit DH
Ryan Flaherty 3B
Robert Andino 2B
Tommy Hunter RHP