Showalter on the lineup, bullpen and more (game update)

TORONTO - Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is not starting today. But it has nothing to do with either an injury or a trade. When the Orioles played at Rogers Centre in June, Jones started all four games on the turf playing surface. But manager Buck Showalter didn't want him starting all three games in this series.

"Just turf," he said. "He took a ball off his foot (on Friday). I figured he'd be as sore if not (more) sore today. We were contemplating (a day off) yesterday. Same with Chris (Davis). I know people might say they've had four days off, but really three days on this turf. Plus, we get Jace (Peterson) out there. He hasn't played in a while. Adam is fine. Just want to keep him that way."

The Orioles activated right-hander Andrew Cashner (2-9, 4.56 ERA) to make today's start and sent lefty Donnie Hart back to Triple-A Norfolk. It's the eighth time this year since spring training that Hart has been optioned to the minors. The Orioles are back to an eight-man bullpen.

Did Hart get sent out because he has options left? Not necessarily, Showalter said.

"We have four left-handers," he said. "Was a luxury with Cashner being on the DL. We'll see. Donnie can go down and control it again and pitch well down there."

Showalter said there are no limitations on Cashner.

"I think he's ready to go," Showalter said. "We'll keep an eye on him. His workdays have gone good. It's something that he's done just about every year, get that injection (in his neck) at the midpoint. We knew that. I think he'll finish up strong. That's what he's done in the past,"

On another topic, if the Orioles trade Zach Britton, Brad Brach or both, their bullpen will really start to take on a new look. Especially with Darren O'Day and Richard Bleier already out for the year. Young pitchers like Mychal Givens and Tanner Scott could be pitching in more high-leverage spots and maybe even get shots to close games.

"It hasn't happened yet, and is probably something probably better served talking about when it happens," said Showalter. "But there could be great opportunities for some people. Great opportunities for a guy like Mike. I'm hoping guys like Tanner and (Paul) Fry potentially, those guys that can get right- and left-handed hitters out, those are the really valuable lefties. Richard showed he could do that."

Showalter was asked if Givens and Scott are ready to take on more late-inning responsibilities.

"They have that potential," he said. "As always, it's a graduation. You look at how we used Brad when he first got here, when Mike first came up, Zach. They develop into that. I don't know if anyone can say for sure. There is a lot more that goes into it than just ability. There's a lot of moxie and experiences that you reach back for. They have that potential and they have that ability. It's just a matter of if they can bring the other things that come into play."

Showalter was asked yet again about the potential for more trades to come and if that makes this an exciting or unsettling time for him.

"It's never exciting to lose really good players," he said. "But it's exciting about not only who we have with us now but could potentially add. Right now, I focus on here. Zach needed to pitch yesterday. There is still nothing like a W to make everything seem better that day. In our situation, I'm not going to ever do something that stands in the way of our long-term commitment. That has changed some. Some things that I and we will be doing that normally wouldn't be done."

Showalter said there was nothing new to report on Chris Tillman, who was designated for assignment Friday. Tillman has not yet decided if he will accept the team's offer to pitch at Triple-A Norfolk.

Toronto takes the lead: Toronto took a 1-0 lead on the Orioles in the fourth today. Kendrys Morales singled with two outs and scored on a Yangervis Solarte double. Casher has allowed four hits on 54 pitches. Toronto lefty J.A. Happ fanned five batters through the first two innings and has fanned eight so far. He's thrown 66 pitches, getting 17 swings and misses.

O's on the board: Jace Peterson's two-out single to right on a 3-2 slider in the fifth tied the game at 1-1. It scored Renato Núñez, who reached on a fielder's choice. The O's had one run in the previous 14 innings until Peterson's hit.

Schoop for the lead: Happ was taken out with nine strikeouts and 102 pitches through five. And the O's took the lead in the sixth against Joe Biagini. Jonathan Schoop hit his 12th homer of the year and 101st of his career for a 2-1 lead.