McFarland making second major league start tonight

One day after Orioles manager Buck Showalter gave Chris Davis the start at third base, he's turning reliever T.J. McFarland into a starter against the Rangers. How far does Showalter want to carry this theme? He could give a player a different assignment every game. Who wouldn't want to see Adam Jones at shortstop, where he played 275 games in the minors? Or Nick Markakis take the mound, since he used to pitch? Showalter won't go to those extremes. The Orioles needed a starter tonight while Bud Norris is on the disabled list. Rather than make another roster move, they'll pluck McFarland out of the bullpen and find out how far he can be stretched. It's not a reach to say McFarland had an outstanding month of June - see what I did there? - allowing one earned run in 15 2/3 innings for a 0.57 ERA that led the American League (minimum 10 innings). In his only career start for the Orioles on June 18, 2013, McFarland allowed three earned runs and seven hits in 2 2/3 innings against the Yankees at Camden Yards. He walked one, struck out four and headed back to the bullpen. McFarland threw a season-high 67 pitches over 4 2/3 innings this year in a June 8 game against the Athletics. He made five starts at Triple-A Norfolk, the most recent on May 17 when he tied his season-high with 5 2/3 innings. Brad Brach is available as a right-handed long man to back up McFarland. McFarland has made three career appearances against the Rangers, shutting them out on four hits over 3 2/3 innings. Davis and Markakis are 1-for-2 with a home run against Rangers starter Nick Martinez. Jones is 2-for-3. Super small sample sizes. Will Davis start again at third base? He went 0-for-4 last night and is batting .208. Left-handers hit .331 against Martinez. Showalter could keep Davis at third base or move him to first and insert Ryan Flaherty at third. David Lough could start in left field if Davis stays at third and Steve Pearce remains at first. Trust me, Pearce is going to play somewhere tonight. Delmon Young extended his hitting streak to a season-high eight games last night. His last eight-game streak was July 2-9, 2013. Seven of Jones' 15 home runs have come in the first inning. Jones collected his 20th infield hit last night. He entered the game tied with Jose Abreu for the American League lead.