More notes and quotes before first pitch

The Rangers designated pitcher Logan Verrett for assignment today after claiming the Rule 5 pick off waivers from the Orioles during the final days of spring training.

Verrett would have to be offered back to the Mets, his original team, if he cleared waivers.

Before the Blue Jays series, the Orioles hadn't been swept on the road since Aug. 22-24, 2014 against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. No division opponent had swept them on the road since a four-game series against the Rays on Sept. 20-23, 2013 at Tropicana Field.

The Blue Jays hadn't swept the Orioles at Rogers Centre since June 21-23, 2013.

Manager Buck Showalter said Ryan Flaherty most likely will begin his injury rehab assignment at Double-A Bowie once he's ready to play. Flaherty landed on the 15-day disabled list today with a strained groin muscle.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy's rehab probably would begin on the road, but again, there's no timetable on him. He took live batting practice again today at Triple-A Norfolk.

"If he doesn't feel good the next couple days, for some reason he's not progressing as we hoped, he'll probably come back here," Showalter said.

Flaherty hasn't suffered this type of injury in the past, so it's uncharted territory for him.

"It's disappointing any time you go on the DL," he said. "I try to take a lot of pride in being available. It's just frustrating. A couple of those guys are down and I take a lot of pride in trying to fill in, and all of a sudden you're with them hurt."

The Orioles couldn't afford to continue playing without another infielder on their 25-man roster.

"We felt like it would be somewhere begin five, seven, 10 days," said manager Buck Showalter. "If it was an outfielder, we might wait a few more days, but where we are with the infield, you just can't go without, especially trying to DH Jimmy (Paredes) some. We've got to cover ourselves."

Rey Navarro is making his major league debut tonight. He appeared in only two games with Triple-A Norfolk due to a groin injury.

"Rey was impressive in the spring," Showalter said. "It's kind of ironic he tweaked his groin against Norfolk State in an exhibition game and they decided to get it right. I'm glad they did. He's ready to go. We had him come in last night.

"Switch-hitter, tad better left-handed, but not much. He's got some pop. He hit a long home run last night against the wind. One of those guys you look over his career, he's just gotten a little better every year. I'm hoping he's one of those guys who's kind of figured it out a little later in his career.

"There's some unknown there, but I like what I saw in the spring. We think he's a good defender. We'll see. Other people who have had him before feel like that. Every minor league manager I've talked to in our organization and others liked him."

Among the minor league roster moves today, infielder Sharlon Schoop has been transferred from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Norfolk as Navarro's replacement. Catcher Steel Russell, son of Orioles bench coach John Russell, was transferred to Bowie from short-season Single-A Aberdeen.

The Orioles placed pitcher Devin Jones on Single-A Frederick's voluntary retired list. Jones recently signed a minor league deal after the Padres released him. The Orioles traded him to San Diego for reliever Brad Brach.

The White Sox will start Jeff Samardzija, Chris Sale and Jose Quintana in the three-game series against the Orioles that begins Monday at Camden Yards, unless the first two are serving suspensions. The Orioles will start Ubaldo Jimenez, Chris Tillman and Miguel Gonzalez.