Cole will start Thursday night, Turner remains in bullpen

BALTIMORE - A.J. Cole will start Thursday's series finale against the Orioles, with Jacob Turner remaining in the Nationals bullpen for the time being.

The Nationals had their choice of right-handers for the assignment of the final of four straight games between them and the Orioles this season. Manager Dusty Baker said this afternoon the decision had not been made yet, but the club made the announcement shortly after, with both pitchers informed of their roles for the immediate future.

Turner has performed better than Cole in limited action so far, but there's an argument to be made that he's more valuable to the Nationals as a multi-inning reliever who can pitch more than once every five days than he would be as the team's No. 5 starter.

The 25-year-old right-hander has been a surprise contributor since he was promoted from Triple-A Syracuse to make a spot start for Stephen Strasburg in Colorado when the latter left the club for three days for the birth of his daughter.

Turner allowed three runs in six innings to the Rockies, earning the opportunity to remain on the big league roster. He has appeared in three more games since as a reliever, including a four-inning appearance in which he finished off a one-run victory over the Diamondbacks and a two-inning appearance in which he locked up a two-run win over the Phillies.

Cole, meanwhile, was promoted last week after struggling Joe Ross was demoted to Syracuse. The 25-year-old started Saturday night in Philadelphia and surrendered only one run in six innings, though he was aided by some stellar defense that robbed several well-struck balls by Phillies batters.

This will be Cole's second career start against the Orioles. He was a late substitution for Strasburg last August when the latter was placed on the disabled list with an elbow injury. Pitching at Camden Yards, Cole wound up allowing four runs in seven innings.