Notes on Wright, Gallardo, Pena, Rodriguez and more

Barring a late change in plans, the Orioles intend to start right-hander Mike Wright in Saturday afternoon's game against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

Wright allowed an unearned run over seven innings last night in a 4-1 win over the Royals.

"It's like I said last night with Michael, I'm going to be real surprised if he doesn't pitch well tonight, but it's the following outing," said manager Buck Showalter. "It's the following outings that matter. It's the next outing for Mike."

Showalter noted that Wright moved more toward the center of the pitching rubber last night. Maybe it made a difference. Maybe it meant nothing. But he did appear to make an adjustment.

Showalter was waiting to receive the reports on Yovani Gallardo's start today at Triple-A Norfolk. He already knew the stats - five innings, four hits, three runs, two walks, five strikeouts and a home run - and how Gallardo's fastball velocity improved since going on the disabled list.

Gallardo threw 85 pitches, 49 for strikes.

"It sounded pretty good physically," Showalter said. "I know the fastball velocity was good. It sounded like it went OK."

Showalter isn't downplaying the bump in velocity, knowing that the drop was an indicator that Gallardo had weakness in his right shoulder.

Asked about putting stock in the radar readings, which showed Gallardo's fastball touching the low 90s, Showalter replied, "I do, to be frank. I do.

"It's one of those things, well, in spring it will come, it will come, it's a typical spring training and it will come. And it didn't. So here, I want to see it come.

"I can talk about a lot of things he's done. People might say, 'Why didn't you do that before?' Well, it's a track record thing. You trust it. I think he's 11 pounds lighter than when he went on the DL, in a good way. He's gotten after it. I'm going to be real surprised if we don't get a return."

Gallardo will take his work day with the Orioles in Toronto and most likely start Sunday at Rogers Centre.

"Regardless of how it felt, I think tomorrow and his work day will be a big day. Not big, but an important day. I think that's when we'll actually make a decision," Showalter said.

Showalter said he won't go with a six-man rotation after Gallardo comes off the disabled list.

Showalter is curious how catcher Francisco Pena will respond tonight without the adrenaline from his first game with the Orioles and then having his father, Yankees coach Tony Pena, in the opposite dugout.

"I think we'll have a pretty good idea what we've got," Showalter said. "First time out, a lot of juice, a lot of energy. Then he had his dad here and the Yankees and all the bells and whistles. Now, it's kind of a real ... John (Russell) and I were talking earlier that it's interesting to see Francisco tonight."

Shortstop J.J. Hardy took ground balls today inside the indoor cage due to heavy rains at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota. The Camden Yards replica field is under water.

The Orioles have four players who have appeared in every game: first baseman Chris Davis, third baseman/shortstop Manny Machado, second baseman Jonathan Schoop and outfielder Mark Trumbo.

Asked whether he's planning days off for the foursome, Showalter quipped, "Nah, they're going to play until they drop."

"How do you plan that?" he asked. "You kind of take each day. I have a conversation with Richie (Bancells) and the players at some point. I had one with Manny yesterday in my office for two minutes. How's it feeling, how's it going? You don't ever assume it. I don't ever take it for granted that they're doing some things that other people can't do.

"They take a lot of pride in it. I mean, a whole lot of pride. I really think it's a lasting impression that Cal (Ripken Jr.) left here. I do. I think it's something where guys take a lot of pride in posting up. It's up to me to make sure that pride doesn't get in the way of being smart, too. That's why I constantly tell them I don't need heroes. We have other people. And I watch them.

"I don't want them saying, 'Me at 80 percent is better ...' They don't ever throw anybody under the bus. And they all know that everybody in there isn't 100 percent. That went out the window a long time ago. A lot of it is how you perform when you have some weariness."

Left-hander Wandy Rodriguez pitched at extended spring training today and was expected to decide whether to opt out of his deal with the Orioles. He'd have to give his approval to be assigned to a minor league affiliate, and he's seeking a job in the majors.

"He was thinking about his options," said executive vice president Dan Duquette. He's considering his options after pitching today in the minors. So, I'm not sure what he's going to do."

Left-hander Andy Oliver already opted out of his deal at Norfolk.

For the Royals
Alcides Escobar SS
Whit Merrifield 2B
Lorenzo Cain CF
Eric Hosmer 1B
Salvador Perez C
Kendrys Morales DH
Paulo Orlando RF
Chestor Cuthbert 3B
Reymond Fuentes LF

Yordano Ventura RHP