Infielder Ryan Flaherty, on the disabled list with a bacterial infection, is scheduled to report to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday. He could begin his rehab assignment that night if his health has improved.
Flaherty can remain on his assignment for a maximum of 20 days (30 for pitchers), but only if his physical condition warrants it. Major League Baseball makes sure players aren't being stashed.
Jason Hammel threw off the front slope of the bullpen mound this afternoon. The Orioles will check on him tomorrow to make sure his knee didn't flare up.
Hammel might throw a regular bullpen session on Monday, while the Orioles are off.
Steve Johnson is scheduled to start on Tuesday at Norfolk. Dana Eveland goes tonight, Jake Arrieta on Sunday and Zach Britton on Monday.
"We got a ball in his hand as soon as we could to make sure he has an opportunity to come back," said manager Buck Showalter. "That was a tough send down."
Showalter indicated that Norfolk will go to a six-man rotation, which includes Brian Matusz and Jason Berken. The starter on Wednesday is TBA.
Miguel Gonzalez only had two three-ball counts last night.
"That's hard to do," Showalter said, "especially with today's strike zone."
So, why is Nate McLouth batting third tonight?
"It's a good fit today," Showalter replied. "We're going to kind of look at it day-to-day and the people we're facing and the way it fits for their bullpen. It's a good fit for us today. We'll see what tomorrow brings."
Showalter shared the main reason why he always admired Eddie Murray.
"Eddie wasn't a suck-face guy with the other team," Showalter said. "I can't remember ever having a conversation with him until here. He wore that other uniform, he didn't have time for you. He wasn't working on the chance that he might be a free agent and could end up with you again. Eddie was very loyal to the group he was playing with. And he wasn't afraid to get on you.
"(Jim) Thome was talking about that some in Cleveland. He brought a little edge to their team that they needed."
Hitting coach Jim Presley will rejoin the Orioles on Tuesday. His father's funeral is Monday in Pensacola, Fla.
For the Royals:
Alex Gordon LF
Alcides Escobar SS
Mike Moustakas 3B
Billy Butler DH
Lorenzo Cain CF
Salvador Perez C
Jeff Francoeur RF
Eric Hosmer 1B
Chris Getz 2B
Luis Mendoza RHP
Just a heads-up that I'm not staying for tonight's game. I won't be at my laptop for a while, but you can track the game through Steve Melewski's blog on MASNsports.com. I'll get to the comments later tonight. Sorry for any inconvenience.
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