Castillo scratched from lineup (plus notes)

BOSTON - The Orioles have scratched catcher Welington Castillo from tonight's lineup and replaced him with Caleb Joseph, who's batting ninth. Manager Buck Showalter will provide an explanation later this afternoon.

Seth Smith RF
Adam Jones CF
Manny Machado 3B
Mark Trumbo DH
Chris Davis 1B
Jonathan Schoop 2B
J.J. Hardy SS
Ryan Flaherty LF
Caleb Joseph C

Dylan Bundy RHP

Alec Asher has gotten into the habit of showing up every day ready to pitch. Always a chance for a spot start, always a chance that he could be used in long relief.

If he was idle long enough, manager Buck Showalter might toss him an inning to stay sharp.

Asher isn't in the dark any longer, knowing that he's going to start Tuesday night at Fenway Park.

This will be Asher's second start following his Orioles debut on April 15 in Toronto, when he allowed one run and three hits in 6 1/3 innings. He's worked an inning in relief April 23 against the Red Sox and April 26 against the Rays.

"I'm happy to be here, happy to be with the club and winning games," he said. "I'll do whatever they want me to do as long as I stay here."

Asher already has made one start in Boston while pitching for the Phillies, allowing seven runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings on Sept. 5, 2015.

"I made a start here and it's a special feeling throwing here, all the history," he said. "It's exciting. I'm excited."

Asher has thrown a couple of extra bullpen sessions to keep his arm strong.

"I'm ready to go," he said.

Meanwhile, Mike Wright is in the bullpen tonight after the Orioles recalled him from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned Logan Verrett to the Tides. The shuttle is gassed up again.

Tides manager Ron Johnson broke the news to Wright last night.

"I was just as excited as my debut," Wright said. "I felt like I was down in Norfolk for two months. It's nice to be back up here. It's good that we're on top already and the team's really rolling."

Wright has lowered his ERA with Norfolk from 8.59 on April 11 to 5.79.

"I felt really well," he said. "I was getting some ground balls. All my pitches feel really good. I walked a couple guys last time, but I feel great."

Verrett tossed two scoreless innings yesterday at Yankee Stadium, escaping a bases-loaded, one-out jam that he created in the 10th inning, and earned the win in his Orioles debut. He's already gone. Wright knows his time with the club could be fleeting.

"Like I said, we're on top right now, so they've got something going," he said. "I'm just glad it can be me this time and hopefully I can help continue that trend."

Manager Buck Showalter indicated in spring training that he preferred to keep his starters in a rotation and not move them into the bullpen, but everything is subject to change and Wright is needed in relief.

"Like I said in the spring, I'm trying to be an out-getter," he said. "However they need to use me, that's what I'm going to try to do is just get outs and help us continue to win."

The Orioles optioned Wright toward the end of camp with instructions to keep working hard and finding his consistency. Earn a call-up and there will be a spot.

"Obviously, there's always the shuttle," Wright said, "so just be ready when your name is called."