After last night's rainout, the Orioles will play a doubleheader today against the Rangers, with the first game beginning at 4:05 p.m.
Tommy Hunter will start in tonight's Game 2, recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, meaning the Orioles will likely DL outfielder Endy Chavez (intercostal strain) between the games tonight. He would be eligible to return from the DL on May 24.
Infielder Steve Tolleson is here, wearing No. 6. He was recalled yesterday -- left-hander Zach Phillips was sent down -- to help with depth. Tolleson played mostly shortstop at Norfolk but can also play second, third and both corner outfield spots.
Here's what came out of Orioles manager Buck Showalter's pre-game briefing:
-- The bullpen is still recovering from a weekend in which the Orioles played 39 innings over three games in Boston -- the Rangers' scoring 24 runs in the first two games of this series didn't help -- and the doubleheader will again tax the pitching staff. That will put pressure on starters Wei-Yin Chen and Tommy Hunter to go deep today.
"If we can get deeper in these games than we have the [past] two games, we’ll be fine," Showalter said. "If we get bumped out early two games in a row, we’ll have to make some adjustments."
-- Right-hander Jason Hammel, who missed today's scheduled start with right-knee soreness, is tentatively scheduled to have his next start Monday or Tuesday, Showalter said. Showalter is optimistic Hammel can avoid the DL.
"Keep in mind he could have pitched today if he had to," Showalter said. "If it was a different part of the season, he probablty would pitch. We want to be real cautious with it. … Just leaning on him, he’s got his arms around what he’s dealing with and he feels like if he can get a couple extra days or three or four he should be able to manage it the rest of the season, that’s what he’s thinking."
-- As expected, Showalter confirmed that left-hander Dana Eveland will be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to start Friday against Tampa Bay.
"He had a good year in a very hitter friendly park in Triple-A and has had some success at times in the big leagues and is pitching really well down there," Showalter said. "He’s pitching as well as any of their starters down there. I think we’re lucky to have him. We’ll see if Tampa agrees with me."
-- Left-hander Zach Britton threw three innings (45 pitches) in an extended spring training game today. He allowed one hit and had one walk, one strikeout and five ground-ball outs. Britton is on schedule for a early-June return barring any setbacks, Showalter said. He needs to get to 90 pitches before getting sent on a rehab assignment.
-- Left-hander Tusyoshi Wada will have season-ending Tommy John surgery on his left elbow tomorrow, performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles.
Orioles
Ryan Flaherty LF
J.J. Hardy SS
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Matt Wieters C
Wilson Betemit 3B
Chris Davis DH
Mark Reynolds 1B
Robert Andino 2B
Wei-Yin Chen LHP
Rangers
Ian Kinsler 2B
Elvis Andrus SS
Josh Hamilton LF
Adrian Beltre 3B
Michael Young DH
Nelson Cruz RF
Yorvit Torrealba C
Brandon Snyder 1B
Craig Gentry CF
Colby Lewis RHP