Asher's value, Janish's return and more

The Orioles have reached another off-day on their schedule and are flying to Houston later today to start a weekend series.

My flight isn't until Friday, if anyone cares. And I prefer pretzels over peanuts if those are my only choices.

Still a few more days before the Orioles have to commit to their Sunday starter. Jayson Aquino warmed twice yesterday without being used, but Alec Asher replaced Chris Tillman in the sixth inning and threw 24 pitches in two scoreless frames.

Don't automatically assume that he can't start this weekend. Twenty-four pitches is a bullpen session.

The Astros began yesterday batting .273 against right-handers, third in the majors, and .239 against left-handers. If that really matters. I'll let you decide.

Asher is such an interesting case, a guy they like as a starter but also have grown to appreciate in the bullpen. He's been needed as a right-hander in the later innings while Brad Brach and Darren O'Day work to fill the void left by closer Zach Britton.

The Orioles were in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., to play the Braves on March 28 when they announced the Asher trade. He cost them a player to be named later or cash. I'm assuming it was cash, which is usually how it works.

My first thought was, "As if I'm not busy enough today!" And likely followed by, "We'll probably never see this guy."

I obviously forget which team I cover.

Asher made five starts with the Phillies last season and went 2-1 with a 2.28 ERA, allowing seven earned runs over 27 2/3 innings. He was 3-0 with a 1.53 ERA in four starts with Triple-A Lehigh Valley after surrendering five earned runs in 29 2/3 innings.

The Phillies didn't have room for this guy on their 40-man roster? He apparently was viewed as a sixth starter with Lehigh Valley, more of a commentary on their pitching depth than his abilities.

Asher underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow when he was 14, so he got that procedure out of the way early. Smart move, kid.

The Orioles currently have two left-handers in their bullpen and I'm sure that's how they prefer it in a perfect world. Richard Bleier can match up and work the later innings, Aquino can back up the right-handed starters and offer more length.

But this isn't a perfect world. Just check where Britton is playing catch these days, how long Tillman was on the disabled list and what's happened to Kevin Gausman's ERA. Ubaldo Jiménez is hanging onto his spot in the rotation by the thinnest of threads.

Infielder Paul Janish, recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday to replace Ryan Flaherty, has the chance to go home this weekend. He lives in Houston.

"It turned out to be real convenient," he said.

It seemed a little dicey after the Orioles claimed infielder Luis Sardiñas off waivers yesterday, since the switch-hitter is out of minor league options, but there's always the possibility that the Orioles try to get him through waivers and send him to Norfolk as Janish's replacement.

Janish, 34, found out Saturday that the Orioles were selecting his contract. He was scratched from the Tides lineup and drove to Camden Yards the next morning.

"I wasn't 100 percent sure what was going on," he said. "I got kind of the heads up from R.J. (Ron Johnson) in Norfolk that something was going on or whatever. I wasn't sure what happened. Obviously, there were no apparent injuries to anybody. I really didn't have a good idea.

"I started texting. I texted J.J. (Hardy) to see how he was doing. Flash, also, and at that point he already was going to have an MRI and he kind of knew what was going on. But up to that point, I really didn't know. That being said, I was still pretty excited to get the idea that there was a possibility and end up being here. All things considered, it's a good thing for me."

That's usually how it happens for Janish. He keeps signing minor league deals and the Orioles keep bringing him up, his defense often compared to what Hardy has offered through the years. Fourteen games in 2015, 14 in 2016 and one so far this year.

"This is my third year, and it has worked out every time," Janish said. "It's part of the reason why I've come back every time. Obviously, I have a good relationship with the coaching staff here. They enjoy keeping the continuity in the clubhouse here and I think it helps me that I've been here before, and at the end of the day I think they appreciate what I bring to the table.

"It's been a good fit so far and obviously I'm glad to be back in the big leagues. At this point in my career, you kind of never know if it was the last time the last time.

"I'm excited to be here. The team as a whole this year is doing well, so just hope we can continue to do well."

The Orioles will need to end a four-game losing streak and not repeat what transpired in Houston last summer, when they were swept and set a major league record with 52 strikeouts in a three-game series.

That's only good if it's a pitching record. #Analysis

The Orioles may have to face left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who's currently on the disabled list with a pinched nerve in his neck. They're expecting him to be ready for Saturday, but the Astros are in wait-and-see mode.

I guess facing Ervin Santana this week wasn't enough punishment.

Keuchel is 7-0 with a 1.84 ERA and 0.864 WHIP in nine starts. He's allowed 13 earned runs and 41 hits in 63 2/3 innings.

Not that Trey Mancini needs another excuse to be in the lineup, but he figures to start Saturday if there's a left-hander on the mound.

Mancini committed an error in left field yesterday, booting a single and turning it into a double, and there was some miscommunication with Adam Jones in left-center on a ball hit to the warning track. But he still found time to impress, drawing an eight-pitch walk off José Berríos to load the bases with two outs in the fifth inning.

Chris Davis had popped up on the first pitch thrown to him, bringing Mancini to the plate. Mancini won the battle, laying off some tough pitches while Berríos mixed curveballs with 95-96 mph fastballs.

Mancini led off the ninth inning with a single into right field to raise his average to .294.

"Honestly, after seeing Trey for a decent amount of time last year, three or four months, it's really not that surprising," Janish said.

"I'm happy that he started off well the way he did so he's receiving the opportunity that he's receiving, but from a long-term standpoint, it's all there. He has the ability to hit and obviously hit with power in the big leagues, and I think he's going to be a cog in a big league lineup for a while. He's the real deal."