Aquino and Asher on Showalter's starter decision

Orioles manager Buck Showalter informed Jayson Aquino yesterday that the left-hander would start Saturday night against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Aquino appreciates the vote of confidence and the chance to prove himself.

"The manager talked to me and let me know about this great opportunity," Aquino said through interpreter Ramon Alarcon. "This is something I'm really looking forward to, just to demonstrate my ability and my talents and what I can do out there.

"I feel excited for this opportunity, not necessarily nervous. Last season, even though it was a limited experience for me, I felt confident then. And obviously now this year I feel even more confident."

Aquino understands what it's like to be a reliever in the majors, making three appearances out of the bullpen in 2016, the last two versus the Red Sox. He's approaching his first start and has no idea how he's going to feel about it.

"Only God knows," he said. "The only thing I can control is make my pitches and to throw strikes, and whatever happens happens."

Aquino was chosen over right-hander Alec Asher, who is available in long relief. Asher was backing up left-hander Wade Miley last night, but had no reason to warm up. Miley was dealing.

"Part of the decision with Aquino is we wanted to cover Miley," Showalter said. "And this team (Red Sox) is primarily right-handed. We knew (Xander) Bogaerts was going to be out ... and they'd replace him with (Marco) Hernandez. And we need to find out about both of these guys.

"We're going to need both of them this year. You never go into it assuming that Chris Tillman is going to come back and be healthy all year. You've got to proceed like it's not going to happen. We won't need a fifth starter again until sometime in May.

"You know, Aquino basically kind of won the job in the spring and is coming off a good outing. It's his time, it's his turn, and we'll see where we are after that."

Asher seemed fine with the decision.

"Anything I can do to stay here," he said. "That's the ideal situation is just to be in the big leagues, so whatever he wants me to do, I'm willing to do."

Asher didn't assume that he earned another start after holding the Blue Jays to one run over 6 1/3 innings Saturday at Rogers Centre.

"I just took it one start at a time, you know?" he said. "Just getting here, you just kind of see what you're going to do. I just took it one start at a time and if I had the opportunity to get another start, great, and if not, I'll be happy to go to the bullpen."

The Jays managed only three hits off Asher, who kept their bats in deep freeze.

"I think my command was really good," he said. "I was able to throw all my pitches for strikes, glove side and arm side. I was really working the cutter and the sinker. Just trying to induce weak contact and I felt like it went well. We had a game plan and we just executed it."

It hasn't taken Asher long to get comfortable with the Orioles, who traded for him on March 28. The Phillies accepted a player to be named or cash.

"A lot of good guys in here, a lot of good teammates," he said, "and that makes it a lot easier."

So does pitching for a first-place team.

"That makes a big difference, too," he said, smiling.