Hess and Cobb could miss starts this weekend

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles rotation for the rest of the weekend series against the Rays could undergo major changes.

Rookie David Hess was hit in the eye today while trying to catch a football during batting practice and was sent to a local specialist for an examination.

Hess is supposed to start on Saturday, but may have to be skipped. Candidates to replace him include Yefry Ramírez, Jimmy Yacabonis and Luis Ortiz, though manager Buck Showalter prefers to use the latter out of the bullpen initially before giving the young right-hander a start this month.

Alex Cobb is scheduled to close the series on Sunday, but is expected to be replaced by rookie left-hander Josh Rogers due to a blister on his pitching hand.

The blister has required treatment for much of the season, but Cobb's been able to stay in turn. However, it impacted his workday and Rogers likely will move up from a scheduled start next week against the Athletics at Camden Yards.

Rogers would be working Sunday with an extra day of rest after pitching Monday night in Seattle.

Center fielder Adam Jones is out of the lineup, a notable absence in the first game of a series and with the opponent starting a left-hander. Joey Rickard is in right field and batting second against Blake Snell and John Andreoli gets another start in left field.

Rookie Cedric Mullins is starting in center field after sitting in previous games against a lefty.

Showalter said a primary reason for Jones being on the bench is a desire to evaluate younger players this month. He's also being "careful" with Jones during a series played on artificial turf.

"Adam will be the first to tell you, we were talking about it the other day, this is the best he's felt in a long time physically and I think being careful with him physically," Showalter said.

"I'm not going to tell you that's the complete reason. It's really a lesser one. We've got some people we want to see play. Everybody talks about Cedric left- and right-handed. There's only one way to find out and especially against one of the best pitchers in baseball.

"Cedric, Rickard and Andreoli. I want to see (Breyvic) Valera play shortstop. I mean, these looks are going away. I know Adam wants to play and so does Chris (Davis), but we'll pick our spots."