A few early notes

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

August 16, 2016, 12:48pm

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Orioles Rule 5 outfielder Joey Rickard is still scheduled to have his right thumb examined Wednesday in Baltimore.

Rickard, on the disabled list with a slightly torn ligament, could be cleared to begin baseball activities.

O'Day-Throws-White-Sidebar.jpg Manager Buck Showalter said reliever Darren O'Day wouldn't have been available to pitch tonight if the Orioles kept him on the active roster.

The Orioles initially thought that O'Day might avoid the disabled list by skipping the series in San Francisco and gaining additional recovery time during yesterday's off-day. However, they put him on the DL with a strained right rotator cuff after sending him to Baltimore for an examination.

"That was good and bad to hear," Showalter said. "Makes me feel better about the decision."

The Orioles would have been required to return Tyler Wilson to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday after 24 hours on the taxi squad - another factor in their decision to place O'Day on the disabled list.

"He's getting better," Showalter said. "He feels a little better each day. I'm hoping he can make the DL period."

Left-hander T.J. McFarland is starting Game 1 of today's doubleheader at Single-A Frederick after the Keys were rained out last night.

Pitching coach Dave Wallace returned home and will miss the next three games. Bullpen coach Dom Chiti will move to the dugout and director of player development Brian Graham will serve as bullpen coach.

Norfolk left-hander Ashur Tolliver remains on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, but he's nearing a bullpen session. He hasn't pitched since July 29.

"I think he's on his way now," Showalter said.