Gentry outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, O'Day says he's fine

DETROIT - The Orioles have outrighted outfielder Craig Gentry to Triple-A Norfolk to create a spot for catcher Welington Castillo on the 25-man roster.

Gentry is out of options and he passed through waivers.

It's a surprising move from the Orioles, who valued Gentry's contributions off the bench and didn't seem inclined to carry three catchers. However, they're holding onto Francisco Peña, who's also out of options.

Gentry was 6-for-37 (.162) with a double, home run, four RBIs and three stolen bases in 33 games after the Orioles signed him to a minor league contract on Feb. 20.

The Orioles have 39 players on the 40-man roster.

Meanwhile, reliever Darren O'Day said he's available tonight and could have pitched in Kansas City after working through a tired shoulder.

O'Day has totaled only four innings in four appearances this month, none since May 8 against the Nationals at Camden Yards. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Kansas City that O'Day wasn't available on Saturday.

"I'm good," O'Day said this afternoon while standing outside the visiting clubhouse at Comerica Park. "I warmed up all three games in Kansas City in case we tied or took the lead. Yeah, I'm good.

"You go through periods where you have a heavy workload and I just had a tired shoulder. Buck was trying to be more judicious with how he used me. Yeah, I just ended up not seeing a game in Kansas City."

O'Day said he wasn't experiencing the same discomfort in his shoulder that led to one of his stints on the disabled list last season. He went on the DL on Aug. 13 with a strained right rotator cuff.

"Well, you could jump to the conclusion that I had a shoulder problem last year, but no, I think it's different," he said. "Less than a week ago I felt as good as I've felt in years. I feel fine."

Having an off-day yesterday didn't hurt.

"It was a good off-day," he said. "I went and saw Ann Arbor. Beautiful place. Go to go in The Big House - big stadium, cool town, great restaurants. Didn't think about baseball much at all. I think sometimes that's just as important as a physical day off.

"Brad (Brach) got some rest in Kansas City. We would have traded rest for wins, but that's how the season goes. There are going to be times when you're pitching every day. It happens, so you've just got to be ready when that happens and take advantage of times when it's slow and rest and rejuvenate."

The Orioles continue to carry six relievers, which isn't new to O'Day. It does, however present some challenges, especially with Zach Britton on the disabled list.

"Anytime you don't have an extra guy, it's one less guy to throw out there," O'Day said. "They've done a great job with transactions. It's unfortunate the guys who come up and do a god job and still get sent out. It's tough on them.

"I've been a member of a six-man bullpen before in '08 in Anaheim. It worked pretty well. Everything has to be running smoothly. It can be done, but it would be a great asset to have an extra bullpen arm. But like I said, they've been kind of covering it with the transactions and bringing guys up, so can't really complain.

"Zach's obviously out and we all have to step up and kind of carry that weight. You'd like to have another late-inning arm. Zach was pretty good at pitching and we miss him, but that's no excuse. We've just got to go out there when our name is called."

The Orioles placed pitcher Cody Sedlock, last year's first-round draft pick, on the temporary inactive list.

For the Tigers
Ian Kinsler 2B
Nick Castellanos 3B
Miguel Cabrera 1B
Victor Martinez DH
Justin Upton LF
J.D. Martinez RF
Mikie Mahtook CF
James McCann C
José Iglesias SS

Matthew Boyd LHP