Pearce's pending arrival puts Orioles in position to make corresponding move

While the Orioles are continuing their home series tonight against the Twins, trying to figure out a way to beat them in 2015, Steve Pearce will be slipping on a Bowie Baysox uniform and checking out Eastern League pitching.

The Baysox are hosting the Altoona Curve, and Pearce is expected to start at first base after playing left and right field yesterday for the Gulf Coast League team. He may continue to occupy the leadoff spot to receive extra at-bats.

Pearce could be activated from the disabled list on Monday while the Orioles are opening a four-game series against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

"It's in play," said manager Buck Showalter. "I'm going to see how (tonight) goes and see how Sunday goes. They start a half-hour later than we do, so in order to go with us, he'd probably have to come out of that game on Sunday.

"I wouldn't want to cost the organization probably $1,800 to fly there. It can't be that much one-way, right?"

You're free to roam about the country.

Assuming that the Orioles don't wait until Sept. 1, they're going to need a corresponding 25-man roster move to create a spot for Pearce. Steve Clevenger, Henry Urrutia and Ryan Flaherty have minor league options, and a demotion would be temporary.

Urrutia has been the left fielder against right-handers and Clevenger has served as the designated hitter. Flaherty is the backup at every infield position.

Clevenger was recalled as catching security while Matt Wieters returned from a strained right hamstring. He's 14-for-36 in 10 games with the Orioles this season, including his second major league home run. He's a useful piece.

Urrutia is 6-for-22 with his first major league home run - a walk-off - and five RBIs. His defense has improved. His left-handed bat still has a place in the lineup.

The Orioles are more open to optioning Flaherty than previously, but they know it's a roll of the dice. J.J. Hardy is in a major slump and dealing with periodic back tightness. He didn't look comfortable last night.

Another alternative, though more drastic, would be to designate Jimmy Paredes for assignment.

With rosters expanding in nine days, it probably makes more sense to keep Paredes than expose him to waivers, but Clevenger has supplanted him as the left-handed designated hitter and he appears lost at the plate. He hasn't started since Aug. 12, he's 4-for-34 with 15 strikeouts this month after hitting .216/.266/.270 in 74 at-bats in July, and he's gone 106 at-bats without a home run.

Though he's also a right-handed hitting corner outfielder, I'd be shocked if Nolan Reimold came off the roster to make room for Pearce.

Lost in last night's defeat was the dominant seventh inning by Brad Brach, who struck out two while retiring the Twins in order. He's allowed three earned runs and struck out 34 in his last 31 2/3 innings. Opponents are batting .185 against him since June 11.

Chris Tillman has worked seven or more innings in four of his last five starts and allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of eight. However, he's 0-3 with a 5.06 ERA and 1.969 WHIP in five career starts against the Twins over 21 1/3 innings.

The current Twins are 10-for-42 against Tillman. Eduardo Nunez is 3-for-8 and Torii Hunter is 1-for-7 with a home run.

Matt Wieters figures to catch tonight after Caleb Joseph handled those duties last night. Tillman has posted a 3.30 ERA in 11 starts this season with Joseph behind the plate and a 4.50 ERA in eight starts with Wieters. However, he owns a career 3.94 ERA in 18 starts with Joseph catching and a 3.96 ERA in 78 starts with Wieters.

If you're curious, Tillman owns a 2.78 ERA in 18 starts with Nick Hundley behind the plate and a 3.60 ERA in four starts with Steve Clevenger.

Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson is 8-9 with a 3.99 ERA in 24 starts this season. He's allowed two earned runs or fewer in 14 starts, but also five earned runs or more in six. He's surrendered six earned runs or more in four starts, including two of his last three.

On Aug. 6, the Blue Jays collected eight runs and nine hits over 4 2/3 innings. In Gibson's last outing, the Yankees scored six runs in five innings.

Gibson is 5-4 with a 3.12 ERA in 13 home starts and 3-5 with a 5.05 ERA in 11 road starts. He was 8-6 with a 2.85 ERA in 18 starts in the first half and is 0-3 with a 7.91 ERA in six starts after the All-Star break.

Gibson faced the Orioles on July 7 at Target Field and allowed two runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings in an 8-3 win. He walked one and struck out seven. He's 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in two career starts against them, and he allowed one run and four hits over five innings in his only start at Camden Yards, with three walks and six strikeouts.

Hardy is 2-for-4 with a home run against Gibson and Gerardo Parra is 2-for-6.