Jimenez on his first career save

OAKLAND - Orioles outfielder Steve Pearce wasn't at his locker this afternoon while the media gathered in the clubhouse. Manager Buck Showalter will provide a health update in less than an hour.

Pearce received a cortisone injection to alleviate discomfort in his right flexor mass. He exited yesterday's game in the fifth inning and probably won't be available tonight.

Ubaldo Jimenez kept the ball yesterday from his first major league save in 289 games. He retired all nine White Sox batters that he faced to complete a 10-2 victory at U.S. Cellular Field.

"I think my last two games have been the same," Jimenez said, referencing his July 28 start in Minnesota, when he allowed one run and struck out eight batters in five innings. "Not only yesterday but the game before, I was able to command the fastball, I was able to throw the breaking ball behind in the count when I needed. I feel confident when I've been on the mound the last two games."

Jimenez is 105-103 with a 4.17 ERA in 11 major league seasons. He made the National League All-Star team and finished third in Cy Young Award voting with the Rockies in 2010. But earning a save, in his sixth career relief appearance, was a new experience.

It also was a surprise.

"To tell you the truth, I didn't even know until after the game," he said. "Brad (Brach) was the one who asked me, 'Hey, is this your first one?' I was like, 'My first what?' He said, 'Your first save.' I didn't know that was a save, but I'll take it.

"It's going to be part of my baseball history, I guess, my stats when I retire. It was good. But the main thing was I was able to go out there and give the main guys in the bullpen a break from throwing and to give them a day off, so that was good."

Jimenez hadn't pitched since the July 28 start in Minnesota and was making only his second appearance since July 8.

"It's not easy at all when you have so many days without facing a hitter, but it is what it is," he said. "Whenever they ask for me, I have to find a way to be there for the team. That's what I owe the team."