Orioles remain committed to Jimenez

The question regarding Ubaldo Jimenez hasn't changed. Neither has the answer, much to the chagrin of fans who want him removed from the rotation, the roster or the planet.

Jimenez has pitched poorly in his last three starts and four of his last five. He's also out of minor league options and owed the remainder of $13 million this season and $13.5 million in 2017.

I can't stress enough those last points.

The Orioles won't designate him for assignment. They don't seem inclined to move him to the bullpen this week. They aren't overwhelmed by candidates at Triple-A Norfolk, especially with T.J. McFarland sidelined by an injury to his left knee. They must not be ready to insert Vance Worley into the rotation and make Jimenez a ridiculously expensive long reliever.

Dylan Bundy isn't stretched out enough. Please stop suggesting that he join the rotation immediately.

What will the Orioles do with Jimenez? Apparently, they're going to give him the ball again when the team is in Cleveland this weekend.

(I'll rejoin the team in Cleveland, in case you're wondering about my status.)

Chris Tillman is having the bounceback season that the club so desperately needed. Kevin Gausman looks like he's going to take that all-important next step. They were the primary subjects in offseason rotation discussions. But Jimenez is a major complication here.

In his last three starts, Jimenez has allowed 17 runs (16 earned) and 22 hits in 15 innings. He's also walked 11 batters and again worn thin the patience of fans who are urging manager Buck Showalter to make a change.

Showalter, in turn, told reporters in Anaheim that Jimenez isn't currently in danger of losing his spot in the rotation.

"No, we're not at that point," Showalter said. "What other options you talking about?"

Not Tyler Wilson or Mike Wright, who already are in the rotation. Wandy Rodriguez has an opt-out in June, but he's still doing limited work in extended spring training as the Orioles build up his innings.

Showalter's words offer at least a hint that Jimenez's continued placement in the rotation isn't entirely based on faith. There's also the reality that, on May 23, the Orioles aren't inundated with better options.

The Orioles will know more about McFarland's knee injury today, but the early impressions of yesterday's MRI are favorable. However, he shouldn't be viewed as a candidate to take Jimenez's next turn in the rotation.

Before this lousy three-start streak, Jimenez held the Athletics to two runs over eight innings. But in his previous start, he gave up six runs and seven hits against the White Sox over 4 2/3 innings. He also walked four batters and hit two.

Yesterday's outing in Anaheim left Jimenez with a 6.04 ERA in nine starts. He posted a 5.63 ERA in 15 starts last year after the All-Star break.

The Orioles will continue to preach patience and refer back to Jimenez's track record - the good part of it. And fans will continue to resist.

Nothing has changed.