More on Jiménez, the rotation, Britton's market, tonight's game

The Orioles have lost four games since the All-Star break and they've fallen behind 8-0, 7-0, 6-0 and 5-0. My advice is to stop doing it. The plan clearly isn't working.

Putting Ubaldo Jiménez back in the bullpen isn't really a solution for the reasons previously stated. He needs extra time to get loose, he tends to struggle in his first inning and he requires extended rest between outings. And there isn't a spot for him with Miguel Castro earning an extended stay.

Jayson Aquino would be the likely replacement if Jiménez comes out of the rotation. He held Triple-A Pawtucket to one run over six innings on Thursday and he's gained the trust of manager Buck Showalter. Also, no one else at Norfolk is beating down the door or even giving it a light tap.

For Jiménez to come out of the rotation, he may finally have to come out of the organization. But let's not pretend that he's the one weak link in the chain. The starters' 5.93 ERA is a group effort.

The Orioles continue their weekend series against the Astros with the same 25-man roster. It's actually become stagnant.

It's usually just the air at the ballpark that doesn't flow.

More than a week has passed since the Orioles adjusted the roster, and it was simply to activate Chris Davis from the disabled list and outright Craig Gentry. The previous move involved reinstating Chris Tillman from the paternity list and outrighting Paul Janish.

Otherwise, you must go back to July 6 in Minnesota, when the Orioles selected Johnny Giavotella's contract and designated David Washington for assignment.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette continues to field calls, with relievers Zach Britton and Brad Brach the most popular targets. I've heard that the Braves expressed interest in Britton, but the Orioles can get a bigger haul elsewhere.

The Dodgers, Cubs and Astros still appear to be the top suitors and the Orioles are scouting the various affiliates as trade packages are assembled.

The Orioles provide the opposition tonight as right-hander Collin McHugh makes his season debut following five injury rehab starts. He's been on the disabled list with an elbow impingement.

Joe Musgrove moves to the bullpen to create a rotation spot for McHugh, who's registered a 6.18 ERA and 1.627 WHIP in five career starts against the Orioles. He has a 7.04 ERA and 1.826 WHIP in three starts at Camden Yards, with 12 earned runs (13 total) and 25 hits in 15 1/3 innings.

McHugh struck out 10 batters in 5 1/3 innings in a May 25, 2016 game at Minute Maid Park. He faced the Orioles again on Aug. 19 and allowed six earned runs (seven total) and nine hits in three innings.

Davis, Adam Jones, Manny Machado and Mark Trumbo homered off McHugh in the first inning to give the Orioles a 5-1 lead, but they lost 15-8.

Machado is 5-for-14 with a double and home run lifetime against McHugh. Trumbo is 4-for-6 with a home run.

Seth Smith is 3-for-22 with two doubles and eight strikeouts and Giavotella is 2-for-16 with a double.

Giavotella has been taking ground balls at third base in batting practice. The Orioles need to find out whether he can handle other positions rather than be viewed only as a second baseman, which severely limits his value on a team that employs Jonathan Schoop.

Schoop is batting .343 (24-for-70) with 18 RBIs this month. He's hitting .370 (27-for-73) with runners in scoring position this season.

Tillman has lowered his ERA from 8.39 to 7.20 over his last two starts by allowing only three runs in 11 innings. He's still working to cut down on the walks, averaging 4.9 per nine innings.

Tillman is 2-3 with a 3.89 ERA and 1.327 WHIP in six career starts against the Astros. Jose Altuve is 3-for-16 and Carlos Beltran is 4-for-19 with a home run.

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