Pregame notes on Chris Davis, the bullpen and more

KANSAS CITY - For the second time this season, Chris Davis is not in the starting lineup for the Orioles. Manager Buck Showalter said it is just a night off at the start for Davis, who is batting .239 with four homers and eight RBIs.

"Yeah, it was about three or four things," Showalter said, one of which was getting Trey Mancini a start at first base. "I wanted to give him the benefit of two days (of not starting). He's been playing every day. I'm trying to get Trumb (Mark Trumbo), stay off his legs a bit in the outfield. Trying to get (Craig) Gentry a start. He hasn't started in a long time and he needs a start."

The Orioles could be getting catcher Welington Castillo back as soon as Tuesday in Detroit. He's been on the disabled list since May 2, retroactive to May 1 with right shoulder tendinitis.

Castillo was to begin a three-game rehab stint tonight at Double-A Bowie, but the Baysox game has been rained out tonight. They'll try for a Saturday doubleheader at 5:05 p.m.

Showalter said he now expects that Castillo will serve as DH for both games of that doubleheader. He'll also throw to bases pregame tomorrow, and is penciled in to catch on Sunday for the Baysox.

"I hope he feels good when he's throwing to the bases tomorrow and that the weather cooperates," Showalter said.

Meanwhile right-hander Gabriel Ynoa, on the DL since May 6 with a strained hamstring, has been doing some light throwing, and Showalter hopes it will be from off a mound very soon.

The Orioles continue to play with a six-man bullpen and five-man bench. That is not changing, at least not today, but at some point it may have to.

"It's going to be hard not to do that (go to a seven-man 'pen) eventually. It's going to be a challenge to stay at six," Showalter said.

Meanwhile two veterans at Triple-A Norfolk are getting close to the point where the Orioles could consider bringing them to Baltimore if a need arises. They are outfielder Michael Bourn and veteran pitcher Edwin Jackson.

"Mike is moving well and playing good in the outfield," Showalter said of Bourn, who is 3-for-11 at Norfolk in three games. "Doesn't seem to have had any repercussions of the broken finger. That's been encouraging. He's doing well."

Jackson has pitched twice since recently joining the Tides. Over 4 2/3 innings, he has allowed three hits and one run with two walks and three strikeouts. Has he presented himself as an option yet for the Orioles?

"Not quite yet," Showalter said. "Dan (Duquette) and I talked and I think he's an outing or two away from considering him if there's a need here. We have to understand that he wasn't in spring training and he's now getting ready to break camp, so to speak. But he's doing well. His command is a little bit off, I think, if you look at the percentage of strikes he's throwing. Not quite there."

Showalter might like to get reliever Brad Brach at least another day or two off. His outing Wednesday was his third in four days and fifth in seven. But as usual, the skipper will not tip his hand to the other team.

"We'll see. I'm not going to talk about whether I'm going to use him tonight or not. I'd like to continue to keep our guys in good shape physically, so we're going to stay on top of that as always. That is the only really good thing of a rainout last night," he said.