ST. PETERSBURG, FLA — The Orioles have not announced a starting pitcher to fill the team's rotation hole for Tuesday's game at Yankee Stadium, but manager Buck Showalter said there are four candidates.
Showalter could turn to either of two right-handed relievers – Vance Worley or Odrisamer Despaigne – but only if they weren't used Saturday or Sunday.
He also said that Triple-A Norfolk right-handers Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright were considerations, but neither pitched exceptionally well to earn a promotion. Wilson lasted just 1 2/3 innings Friday, allowing four runs on six hits. Wright allowed four runs on nine hits over five innings Thursday.
"They're all in play right now," Showalter said. "They eliminate themselves as tomorrow's game gets played. We've got four options right now."
Showalter said he even considered pulling right-hander Yovani Gallardo after two innings Friday and bringing him back on short rest Tuesday.
Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez is not an option as the team wants him to work through his struggles in the bullpen.
O'Day to throw simulated game Tuesday: Darren O'Day's pregame bullpen session on Saturday went well, and the Orioles setup man is scheduled to throw a simulated game before Tuesday's game in New York.
"It was real encouraging," Showalter said "Good things are going on there."
O'Day, who hasn't pitched in a game since June 1, has been slow in his recovery from a right hamstring strain, but is making progress. On Saturday, he threw a side session and participated in his second day of pitchers fielding practice drills.
Showalter didn't say how many outings O'Day would need before returning from the DL, indicating he could be ready to return after just one simulated game, but said he would likely throw two sim games, then the club would decide if he needs to go on a minor league rehab assignment. If that's the case, Showalter said O'Day would likely only need two rehab games before returning.
"I want to see how he feels and what he says," Showalter said. "He was crisp today. It was coming out good. I'll lean on him. He knows where he's got to be to do this and I trust him. We're just going to take each day as it comes."
Around the horn: The Orioles and Manny Machado's representation met early in spring training to have a conversation about Machado's long-term future with the team, but no extension offers were exchanged, contrary to an ESPN report from earlier this week. … Double-A Bowie pitcher Branden Kline, who had Tommy John surgery in October, is scheduled to resume throwing Monday, Showalter said. … Jonathan Schoop's winning homer in the eighth inning Friday was the Orioles' 44th this season in the seventh inning or later, the most in the American League. The Orioles entered Saturday's game having scored 148 runs in the seventh inning or later, third best in the AL.