Notes on Rickard, McFarland, the pitching and more

WASHINGTON - Outfielder Joey Rickard will have his right thumb re-examined on Sept. 2, and manager Buck Showalter is hoping to get more than just a few weeks out of the Rule 5 pick.

"I think we'll get an idea how that's progressing," Showalter said.

"He was a big part of our team for quite a while and we haven't had him."

Left-hander Brian Duensing threw another inning in the Gulf Coast League, needing only seven pitches and getting a double play. He's scheduled to throw two innings at Double-A Bowie on Saturday and Tuesday.

Left-hander T.J. McFarland was a consideration for today's call-up before the Orioles chose Mike Wright. McFarland remains with Double-A Bowie on an injury rehab assignment.

"We'd really like to get him some back-to-back days," Showalter said. "We had to make a decision how we're going to use him the next few days in case he had to play into this. I think the Yankees are carrying three or four left-handed hitters as opposed to six or seven, but that could change the next three days.

"Mac's probably an outing or two away, but we could if we had to. His name came up last night."

Showalter chose Ubaldo Jimenez to start Thursday night against the Nationals.

"As opposed to who?" he said. "No, actually he's probably the most equipped. He's pitched well here and against these guys. We looked at our options and felt like he was worthy of getting another opportunity.

"Actually, it probably makes our bullpen work a little better, too, the other four days. He's a guy that's physically better-suited to start."

Showalter isn't looking beyond the one start. Jimenez could be called upon again or head back into a sporadic relief role.

"We're going to go that way tomorrow and see where we are," he said.

Showalter is confident that the bullpen can cover for Jimenez if the veteran makes an early exit.

"We have people," he said. "That's why Mike Wright's here. That's why Vance (Worley) has been so valuable. And (Parker) Bridwell is here. It also allows us to have an optionable bullpen, which we're going to need. Somebody said, 'Well, why don't you just wait until Sept. 1?' There are a lot of games between now and Sept. 1. Or Sept. 2 actually. We're off Sept. 1.

"It allows us to be able to move guys in and out to cover anything if there's a short start, which we hope there's not."

The Orioles continue to search for available pitching. The need for more depth is illustrated again with Chris Tillman on the disabled list.

"We have choices, but just ... Everybody's got choices," Showalter said.

"I know a lot of things that factor into it. I'm not trying to change the subject, but you go over to Walter Reed today and there's nothing that's going to top the fact that they told me there's only one soldier in there. They're at their low right now. So, pitching somebody, I look at it as an opportunity.

"There are some guys on their club how have been considered for the Cy Young and Chris was at one point. Ubaldo's got that type of pedigree and he's pitched well in this situation before. He pitched well in Minnesota that day, all things considered. It's going to be tough on him because he hasn't started in a while, but he's built up and the most experienced option we have. And I'm not going to get into critiquing what our other options are.

"I know one thing, everybody's getting blocked and claimed this time of year. Usually, there's somebody there. We think Ubaldo's our best option right now."

Worley has proven too valuable in the bullpen. He covered the last three innings last night to spare the other relievers.

"Here's the part about that is, if he doesn't pitch that game last night, probably Zach (Britton) or (Brad) Brach or (Mychal) Givens or all three of them would have been in that ballgame," Showalter said. "In order for us to be good tonight and the next night and whatever, we've got to have somebody to do that job. And it's not a given that Vance would do well as a starter.

"A guy who can give you long innings in the American League is extremely important. It allows you to keep your bullpen healthy. And when you don't have a maneuverable bullpen with options and stuff, you've got to do it from within. That's why we've had to carry two or three long guys most of the year to keep everybody intact."