Seven Orioles minor leaguers to play in AFL

The Orioles will send seven of their minor leaguers to play in the Arizona Fall League. Pitchers Parker Bridwell (Single-A Frederick), Zach Davies (Double-A Bowie), Mychal Givens (Bowie) and Asher Tolliver (Bowie), catcher Michael Ohlman (Bowie), infielder Jason Esposito (Frederick) and outfielder Dariel Alvarez (Triple-A Norfolk) will play for the Glendale Desert Dogs. Norfolk's Mike Griffin will serve as co-pitching coach and Aberdeen's Chris Poole will serve as co-athletic trainer. Alvarez and Ohlman played for the Surprise team last year that won the AFL title. Games begin on Oct. 7. This year's league includes players from 10 foreign countries -- Aruba (1), Canada (2), Chinese Taipei (1), Colombia (1), Cuba (5), Curacao (1), Dominican Republic (10), Mexico (1), Panama (1) and Venezuela (3). Roster size is established at 35 players per team. Each major league organization is required to provide seven players subject to the following eligibility requirements, as listed in the AFL news release: • All Triple-A and Double-A players are eligible provided they are on Double-A rosters no later than Aug. 15. • Each organization is permitted to send two Single-A Advanced-level players in addition to the current allowance of two "A-exempt" players (who are under contract as of Aug. 15). Foreign players are allowed as long as the player is not on his native country's primary protected player list. • No players with more than one year active or two years total of credited major league service as of Aug. 31 (including major league disabled list time) are eligible, except a team may select one player picked in the most recently concluded major league Rule 5 draft. • Each team is allotted 20 pitchers, but only 15 are designated "eligible" each game day.
There wasn't much news to come out of manager Buck Showalter's pregame session with the media. The AFL information may have been the highlight. The Orioles haven't announced their starters for the Twins series that begins Friday night at Camden Yards. However, Showalter confirmed that Ubaldo Jimenez isn't scheduled to make a start within the next five days. Showalter wants to keep Jimenez as a starting option next month. Therefore, he will make certain that Jimenez remains stretched out, whether it's through extended relief appearances or side sessions.