More on Hess, Cobb, Joseph and Trumbo (O's down 14-2)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are waiting to get the results of David Hess' eye examination and will decide whether they need to find another starter for Saturday night's game against the Rays at Tropicana Field.

Hess is the victim of another dreaded football-related injury, though he didn't fracture a finger like Michael Bourn last spring training. The rookie pitcher was struck in the left eye while outrunning Trey Mancini and attempting to catch a pass before the Orioles took batting practice.

Mancini was the defensive back on the play. Hess was the unfortunate recipient of a shiner.

MASN video shows Hess giving a thumbs-up to signal that he isn't hurt. However, the eye looked red and swollen as he walked toward the dugout.

"He's at the ophthalmologist now and we'll see if he's going to be able to pitch tomorrow," manager Buck Showalter said. "If not we'll have to make an adjustment. It might be an 'opener.' "

If it's good enough for the Rays ...

The video doesn't show which teammate threw the pass to Hess, who was racing toward the warning track in left field.

Hess is 3-9 with a 5.27 ERA and 1.415 WHIP in 17 games (15 starts) with the Orioles

Showalter said the Orioles won't need to bring up another pitcher. They have the start covered with Yefry Ramírez and Jimmy Yacabonis.

Showalter was hoping to give Luis Ortiz an inning tonight out of the bullpen, but might hold him back.

Alex Cobb is expected to miss Sunday's start due to the blister on his pitching hand that's required treatment again this season. Rookie Josh Rogers would take his turn.

"Cobb threw today and he's probably at this stage iffy for Sunday," Showalter said. "The blister's still an issue, so probably pitch Rogers Sunday. Want to give him a workday today, a light one, just in case that has to happen."

Infielder Corban Joseph had his contract selected today from Double-A Bowie and he's on the bench with older brother Caleb. He batted .312/.381/.497 with 30 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs and 68 RBIs in 122 games.

"Corban's here now," Showalter said. "We have one guy with over 300 at-bats hit .300 this year, I think, and that's a reward for a great year. He had a great year and he can hit and trying to find out about him defensively."

Joseph wasn't anticipating that he'd hear again from the Orioles.

"I don't really think it was an expectation to come back," he said. "My only goal was to finish strong and complete a good year and I was fortunate enough to do that.

"I went back home and enjoyed a couple of days with the family and got the call yesterday."

The goal now is to get noticed for more than his Double-A stats and family ties.

"Just trying to turn some heads and just continue doing what I've been doing and hopefully help the team win a couple of games," he said. "Just do what I can, stay within myself and just have fun."

Joseph can hear the clock ticking on his career, as it does with everyone. Perhaps the sound is amplified when you're 29 and playing in the Eastern League, where he was chosen to the All-Star team.

"It meant a lot," he said. "I think everybody at a certain time in their career, they have to kind of do something a little different. This year, I knew I had to have a breakout year. Being 29 years old, going on 30, it gets tougher and tougher. The game's always evolving into younger players.

"I really tried to steal a couple more bases and do a lot better, laying down bunts, getting guys over and driving guys in."

The Orioles announced earlier that Mark Trumbo underwent successful cartilage repair surgery on his right knee.

Showalter texted Trumbo following the procedure, which involved team orthopedic surgeons Dr. Leigh Ann Curl and Michael Jacobs.

"Exactly what they thought, no complications, no surprises," Showalter said. "It'll be close to him being ready for the season. Everything they thought they would find and what they thought they'd be able to do, they did. I know he was pretty upbeat about it."

Update: Nick Ciuffo hit a three-run homer in the second inning to give the Rays a 3-0 lead. Dylan Bundy's 36 home runs allowed this season are a club record.

Update II: Kevin Kiermaier hit a three-run homer in the third for a 6-0 lead.

Update III: Tommy Pham homered off Sean Gilmartin in the fifth inning for a 7-0 lead.

Update IV: Joey Rickard his a two-run homer off Blake Snell in the sixth to cut the lead to 7-2.

Update V: Ji-Man Choi hit a grand slam off Ryan Meisinger in the sixth, two of the runs charged to Gilmartin, and the Rays lead 11-2.

Update VI: Luis Ortiz gave up three runs in the seventh inning in his major league debut and retired only two batters.