Buck Showalter updates Chris Davis' status, plus other notes

CHICAGO - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is headed for the 10-day disabled list but just not yet. For now, Davis is headed back to Baltimore after an MRI here this morning showed a Grade I right oblique injury.

This is on the lesser scale, but it appears that Davis still could miss several weeks. The Orioles are expected to replace Davis with Norfolk first baseman David Washington, but Showalter would not confirm that yet. Washington was scratched from Norfolk's lineup today and the Virginian-Pilot reported he would join the Orioles.

"Last time he had this (in 2014) he had it on the other side," Showalter said. "Let's see where are in a couple of days before we put a time frame on it. It is not one of those injuries you can go and test out. Because you can set it back. He felt it on that swing. I think I know (how long he will be out). It's potentially on the shorter side, but what's short? A month rather than two months. Last time I think he had one that was like 16 days. You can't put any time on something like this."

Showalter said it happened when Davis swung and flied out with the bases loaded in the third inning last night. He had no discomfort before that swing.

So who plays first base in place of Davis?

"I've got options, some that are here and some that aren't currently here. But Trey (Mancini) is playing there tonight," Showalter said.

Showalter also said reliever Darren O'Day, on the DL with a right shoulder strain, is doing better each day. He hopes he can return when eligible on on Saturday.

Utility man Ryan Flaherty, also out with a strained right shoulder, has thrown two days in a row and feels good.

The Orioles announced this afternoon that catcher Francisco Pena has cleared waivers and has been assigned outright to Triple-A Norfolk. And pitcher Edwin Jackson has cleared waivers and elected to become a free agent.