Showalter on O'Day, Meisinger and Fry (O's down 7-0)

The news that reliever Darren O'Day sustained a Grade 2 tear in his left hamstring, which an MRI revealed, was viewed in a positive light because he apparently could avoid surgery. However, O'Day sought a second opinion today and seems more likely to undergo a procedure.

The Orioles transferred O'Day to the 60-day disabled list today to create an opening on their 40-man roster while selecting the contracts of pitchers Ryan Meisinger and Paul Fry from Triple-A Norfolk.

"We knew it was a pretty extensive injury," said manager Buck Showalter. "Even without surgery, it would probably be a potential 60-day. Darren's contemplating surgery now and he'll make the decision if, when and where here shortly."

Head athletic trainer Brian Ebel spoke to O'Day and the doctor who examined the veteran reliever.

"I think he'll probably make a decision here shortly," Showalter said.

Surgery likely would end O'Day's season after only 20 appearances, his fewest since pitching in 16 games with the Rangers in 2011.

"I would think so, but don't go down that road yet," Showalter said. "I've been told some things in passing, but I don't want to ... If and when he decides to do that, then I'll be able to answer that question.

"I think that's probably the case, but I wouldn't go there yet."

Meisinger and Fry are in the bullpen tonight awaiting their major league debuts. Jimmy Yacabonis and Yefry Ramirez were optioned to Norfolk and will resume their starting roles in the International League.

"Just pitching well and our best options and we need some people here," Showalter said. "Want to keep Yac on the program that he's on and keep continuing trying to get him stretched out there. Yefry, they're both not going to be able to pitch for three or four days. We've still got three guys I wouldn't use in the bullpen today and they're deserving.

"Paul's been interesting. So has Meisinger. Good slider, commands well down in the zone. It's a big jump for them, but I know they're excited."

As I wrote earlier, Yacabonis will start for Norfolk on July 3 and Ramirez will start the following day.

"We've got that doubleheader on (July 9) and it would make them both options for that barring a rainout on the 4th."

Does promoting two pitchers who weren't on the 40-man roster send a message to the affiliates, that if you're producing it's possible to get called up?

"That's always been the case," Showalter said. "When they leave camp and even when they come in, they know from track record. Whether you're on the roster, not on the roster, if you're doing the job and you're our best option, that's where we're going.

"It's one of the things I've talked about a lot here in the past is to out-opportunity people and I'm hoping as we go forward that it's a tie-breaker for some people, especially these six-year free agents that have become so impactful for teams around baseball. Of course, Ryan was from our system and our draft. They're both still young guys.

"There are some other ones down there. You always find a spot on the roster for good people and people who are capable of doing it."

Update: Mike Trout homered off David Hess in the top of the first inning to give the Angels a 1-0 lead.

Update II: The Angels increased their lead to 3-0 in the third inning on two singles, a hit batter and a fielder's choice grounder.

Update III: Hess is charged with six runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings and the Orioles trail 6-0. Meisinger retired Justin Upton on a fly ball to right field to end the sixth.

Update IV: Martín Maldonado led off the eighth with a home run off Meisinger to increase the lead to 7-0.