The Orioles confirmed that Jake Arrieta will make tomorrow night's start against the Yankees. Jeremy Guthrie was told over the weekend that he wouldn't pitch again until Friday.
The Orioles will announce a corresponding 25- and 40-man move tomorrow.
Brad Bergesen stays in the bullpen to possibly back up Chris Tillman tonight. He could do the same for Arrieta tomorrow if he isn't involved in the roster move. Interim manager Juan Samuel didn't dismiss the possibility of Bergesen returning to Triple-A Norfolk's rotation.
"We have a few days here to see how things are going to pan out," Samuel said. "Hopefully, Tillman will give us what we need. If something goes wrong, you always have him backing him up.
"That's the idea, to basically see what we need. As you guys know, the last three games, we've used a lot of those guys. I did not want to bring him in last night when the game was like that. We're just trying to get some more options with him, trying to wait until his mechanics get right."
So what is Samuel looking for tomorrow night?
"A great start, obviously. That would help," he replied with a big smile.
"We feel he's one of the guys that we're going to be counting on, this organization's going to be counting on, in the future, so why not bring him? I know we're going to be throwing him in the fire against these guys. We don't get to pick who we play, who we face. It's a challenge for him and we'll see how he reacts tomorrow."
Samuel revealed that the club has discussed making David Hernandez the closer and returning Will Ohman to his specialist role. However, as Samuel pointed out, the Orioles haven't really needed a closer.
"We were kicking around with that same idea," Samuel said. "The innings that we're getting in trouble is when (Ohman) normally pitches. It's something that Kranny and I kicked around. We'll probably talk to him.
"If you've been successful there and we're not getting the opportunity to have you close, we might have to use you where you've been successful. And then when the opportunity comes where we'll need a closer, then we'll go with the best choice at that point. That is being considered."
Alfredo Simon threw 25 pitches in Sarasota and did some light agility work to test his hamstring. He's scheduled to throw 30 pitches tomorrow, perhaps against live hitters, and could join the Orioles next week for their West Coast interleague trip.
Felix Pie hit off a tee and did some long tossing today in Sarasota. He isn't feeling any pain in his back or shoulder.
Samuel spoke to Brian Roberts earlier today.
"He called me. He thinks I'm big-leaguing him. I haven't called him back since I got the job," Samuel said.
"He was on his way to see the doctor. He's disappointed that he's not here with us. I said, 'Well, you need to heal yourself, take care of yourself.' He was on his way to the doctor when I spoke to him."
Corey Patterson said he's available to pinch-hit or pinch-run tonight. He's expected to rejoin the lineup tomorrow.
Draft update: We've reached the finish line. The Orioles chose Countryside High School catcher Daniel Torres in the 46th round, Anderson University right fielder Cody Young in the 47th, St. Marys right-hander Alex Schmarzo in the 48th, Whitewater High School right-hander Hayden Jordan in the 49th and Scripps Ranch High School right-hander Philip Walby in the 50th.
That's a lot of Scripps Ranch players in one draft.
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