Mike Wright appears set to make Monday start (O's win 3-1)

The Orioles apparently have decided to start Mike Wright in Monday night's series opener against the Royals at Camden Yards.

Remember when they optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk? Seems like only yesterday.

Actually, it was Thursday afternoon, when they selected left-hander Brian Duensing's contract from Norfolk. The Orioles recalled Wright while placing reliever Darren O'Day on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. He never left Baltimore.

Left-hander T.J. McFarland was the other candidate to start, but he just replaced Kevin Gausman in the seventh inning with the Orioles trailing the Yankees 1-0 at Camden Yards.

The only way Wright doesn't start Monday is if the Orioles make a surprise minor league move. Executive vice president Dan Duquette, interviewed earlier today on 105.7 the Fan, mentioned how left-handers Andy Oliver and Wandy Rodriguez are candidates to join the club. Oliver exercised his opt-out clause at Norfolk and Rodriguez can do the same in a week while he remains at extended spring training.

Wright would be taking his normal turn in the rotation. He started Wednesday night against the Red Sox and allowed six runs and seven hits in 2 2/3 innings.

After informing the media of the club's decision to option Wright, manager Buck Showalter said, "Mike is going to be a good starter for the Baltimore Orioles."

He's in position to be the starter on Monday while trying to improve on a 2-3 record and 5.88 ERA in 10 games (nine starts). He's allowed 32 earned runs in 49 innings.

Gausman gave the Orioles their sixth quality start in the last 20 games by holding the Yankees to one run in six innings. He allowed seven hits, walked two, struck out five and threw a wild pitch. He came out after 104 pitches, 70 for strikes.

The only run scored in the third inning on Alex Rodriguez's RBI single with two outs. Jacoby Ellsbury singled and moved up on a wild pitch before Rodriguez delivered.

The Orioles twice loaded the bases with two outs against CC Sabathia, but Mark Trumbo struck out in both at-bats. He was 6-for-19 with a home run against Sabathia before today.

Sabathia threw 111 pitches in five innings. He allowed two hits and walked six batters.

Update: We're in a rain delay with runners on first and second and one out in the eighth. Jonathan Schoop is due to face Aroldis Chapman.

Update II: The Orioles waited out a 1 hour, 37 minute rain delay and took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth on Matt Wieter's two-run single and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury's throwing error.

Wieters singed up the middle on a 101 mph fastball from Aroldis Chapman.

Francisco Pena singled before Wieters pinch-hit for Ryaln Flaherty.

Update III: The Orioles take two of three in the series with a 3-1 win over the Yankees. They've won four of their last five games and lead the Red Sox by percentage points in the American League East.

T.J. McFarland gets the win and Zach Britton records his 17th save in as many tries.