Orioles give pitcher Eric Fornataro a tryout (Jones out of lineup)

Still in search of pitching to improve their depth in the system, the Orioles worked out right-hander Eric Fornataro yesterday at Camden Yards.

Fornataro, 28, spent last season at Triple-A Syracuse in the Nationals' organization and went 1-4 with a 5.54 ERA in 36 games, including one start. He posted a 2.57 ERA in 44 games with Triple-A Memphis in 2014.

The Nats selected Fornataro off waivers from the Cardinals on Nov. 3, 2014 and released him on July 25, 2015.

The Cardinals chose Fornataro in the sixth round of the 2008 draft out of Miami-Dade College. The Virginia native made eight relief appearances in the majors in 2014 and posted a 4.66 ERA, with five earned runs and 11 hits allowed in 9 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out three.

Fornataro owns a career 29-52 record and 4.03 ERA in eight minor league seasons. He's made 72 starts among his 255 appearances.

The group that watched Fornataro throw included vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson, manager Buck Showalter and pitching coach Dave Wallace.

It's no longer raining in Baltimore and the tarp is folded on the field at Camden Yards. More precipitation is expected to arrive later. The sky still has an ominous look to it.

The Orioles ranked eighth in the majors with a .284 average and third with a .380 on-base percentage heading into today's games. Their .200 staff ERA was tied for sixth.

Small sample sizes, but still ...

Looking at tonight's lineup, you'll notice Adam Jones is not in it. He appeared to be in discomfort after a couple of swings on opening day and last night, so Joey Rickard will be in center field and bat leadoff.

For the Orioles

Joey Rickard CF
Nolan Reimold LF
Manny Machado 3B
Chris Davis 1B
Mark Trumbo RF
J.J. Hardy SS
Pedro Alvarez DH
Jonathan Schoop 2B
Caleb Joseph C

Ubaldo Jimenez RHP