Bullpen banter and looking at the lineup

NEW YORK - A day after manager Buck Showalter said he had five relievers that he didn't want to use, we're going to find out just how quickly a bullpen can heal a few weeks into the season.

Another roster move could be on the horizon. Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette met after yesterday's game. Vice president Brady Anderson also is in New York.

Left-hander Richard Bleier has been used in the last two games and Showalter really wants to stay away from him today. The other left-hander, Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr., threw 23 pitches yesterday.

Darren O'Day hasn't been seen in the last two games and should be available this afternoon in the series finale. The Orioles are still learning about Rule 5 right-hander Pedro Araujo and one mystery is how quickly he can bounce back after throwing 26 pitches in two innings Friday night.

Mychal Givens threw 33 in the marathon and probably is out again today. At least he survived the plate incident with Didi Gregorius diving into his leg as he took the throw from Caleb Joseph in the 11th inning. Givens said yesterday that he was fine.

Showalter avoided Miguel Castro yesterday after the right-hander worked 2 1/3 innings on Friday and threw 26 pitches. We already know from last season that he's pretty much available every other day. Pieces of his arm could be used in a tire patch kit.

Castro retired seven of the eight batters he faced, but Gregorius was a big exception with a game-tying home run.

"Miguel, he really wants it," Showalter said yesterday. "He's fun to pull for. He's probably out there running the stadium steps right now. I don't think he'll ever put on a lot of weight on that frame. He just won't let himself, because I've seen him. He eats like a guy going to the electric chair.

"He's good, I like him. He's a good kid. I've told you the background, the Blue Jays brought him up quick, the things that went on in Colorado. He's got a new lease. He likes it here and he's not going to lose the opportunity. Plus, he throws 97, 98. But he learns little lessons along the way."

The latest one came Friday night in the Bronx.

"He was 98, 99," Showalter said. "The pitch he threw to Didi was 94, tried to sink it, so he'll put that in his memory bank and not do it again."

Pedro Álvarez has driven in five of the Orioles' last 10 runs, but he's likely on the bench today with the Yankees starting left-hander Jordan Montgomery. And it's a short bench with outfielder Colby Rasmus on the disabled list.

The door keeps opening wider for Anthony Santander, who figured to get more at-bats with Mark Trumbo on the DL and now has Rasmus out of the way. Not that he plotted it. Just circumstances that can give the Orioles a longer look at him.

Santander made a diving catch in right field yesterday, but he's only 3-for-23 with three walks and four strikeouts. His second double drove in a run Thursday night.

Showalter could keep Santander in right field today, make him the designated hitter with Craig Gentry in right or sit him. Danny Valencia could be the designated hitter unless he starts at first base and Chris Davis sits against the southpaw.

Davis was 0-for-3 yesterday with a walk, strikeout and failed bunt. He's 3-for-30 for a .100 average and 1-for-7 with a home run lifetime against Montgomery.

Jonathan Schoop is 3-for-11 with a double and home run against Montgomery and he needs to reheat. He's 1-for-14 in the series after collecting seven hits in Houston.

Mike Wright Jr. is making his second career start and eighth appearance against the Yankees. He's 0-1 with an 8.04 ERA and 1.596 WHIP in 15 2/3 innings, with 14 runs and 20 hits allowed.

Wright has made three relief appearances at Yankee Stadium and surrendered seven runs and nine hits in 7 2/3 innings.

Aaron Judge is 3-for-5 against Wright with two doubles and a home run.