McFarland remains in running for Monday's start (with NY lineup)

The Orioles still haven't listed a starter for Monday night's game against the Royals at Camden Yards. Ubaldo Jimenez and Chris Tillman will close out the series.

Left-hander T.J. McFarland remains a candidate to make his third major league start and his first since July, 1, 2014 versus the Rangers.

Mike Wright also is a consideration after the Orioles recalled him from Triple-A Norfolk to replace injured reliever Darren O'Day.

"Not yet," said manager Buck Showalter. "See how the next two days go. We've got some options. See how we get through."

Showalter doesn't want to use Mychal Givens and Brad Brach out of the bullpen tonight, but Wright and Vance Worley are available. McFarland also could pitch after working one inning last night.

"He's fine," Showalter said. "He's ready to go. He's good. He's available not only tonight, but Monday. He's an option for Monday."

Showalter noted how the Royals routinely have seven right-handed hitters in their lineup, which on the surface would seem to put McFarland at a disadvantage. Right-handers are hitting .300 against McFarland in his career. However, they're 3-for-25 (.120) this season, while left-handers are 10-for-29 (.345).

"If Mac's ever going to be a starting pitching like we think he could at some point, he's going to have to get out right-handed hitters, which he can do," Showalter said. "That's one of the requirements for a right-handed pitcher to get left-handed hitters out and a left-handed starter to get right-handed hitters out, because they see a bunch of them."

McFarland has made six career relief appearances against the Royals and allowed eight runs and 16 hits in 11 2/3 innings.

McFarland made it back into the Orioles' bullpen for the weekend series against the Yankees. He's 2-0 with a 2.86 ERA in 19 career appearances against them.

"He's been pretty good against them, obviously, but a lot of the people he was good against aren't necessarily out there," Showalter said.

The current group is 10-for-64 (.156). Jacoby Ellsbury is 2-for-16 and Brett Gardner is 2-for-13.

The Orioles' offense has bailed out the last three starters, rallies allowing the club to build a three-game winning streak. A worrisome trend? Is it a trend that can continue?

"There's no trend that plays long-term except good stuff. Good starting pitching will play all year," Showalter said.

"I don't consider it bail out. You gave up four or five runs in almost six innings, you should be engaged in that game. There are nights when the bullpen's going to do some things to cover some things, and there are going to be some nights, you hope, when the starters will cover some things that we're in need of because of the offense or because of the bullpen.

"What has been the most consistent part of our team so far? It's a pretty easy answer. It would be tough to expect that to happen because pitchers from other teams don't always cooperate."

For the Yankees

Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Brett Gardner LF
Carlos Beltran RF
Alex Rodriguez DH
Starlin Castro 2B
Didi Gregorius SS
Chase Headley 3B
Rob Refsnyder 1B
Austin Romine C

Ivan Nova RHP