More on Monday's doubleheader (Cobb leaves with injury)

MINNEAPOLIS - Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn't ready to name his Game 1 starter for Monday's doubleheader against the Yankees at Camden Yards, though Jimmy Yacabonis was pulled from today's assignment with Triple-A Norfolk and must be regarded as the favorite.

Miguel Castro pitched in relief yesterday and likely is removed from consideration. Mike Wright Jr. is a possibility if he isn't needed today, but Yacabonis seems to have the inside track.

Showalter did confirm that Yefry Ramirez will start Game 2 instead of taking the mound at 4 p.m.

"A lot of reasons," Showalter said. "He's pitching well and I wanted to keep him on schedule, kind of what he's used to. Try to take a young player - unfortunately, it may be a young player in the first game - but I think just keeping him on a routine or schedule that he's used to. There are enough challenges for a young pitchers up here in the big leagues, so trying to keep him as stable as possible.

"Plus we're coming off this trip and no telling what time we'll get in. You want somebody you know, he'll get some rest."

Ramirez will be facing the team that traded him to the Orioles for international signing bonus pool money at last year's non-waiver deadline. If he needed any further motivation.

"I'm sure there's some thought to it, whatever there might be to it," Showalter said. "It'll go very quickly. Yefry doesn't come across to me - I can't say that we know him that well yet - but he doesn't come across ... That's one of the attractive things about him. He's a very even-keel guy. You have to have a certain amount of emotion to pitch up here, but he seems to have it under control. He doesn't let things get away from him. I think a lot of that has to do with his background as a player. He seems to understand game situations.

"I'm sure he knows who he's pitching against tomorrow and who he used to be with. Of course he does. But I don't see that affecting him. It might even play in his favor. Who knows? But there's not some vengeance or something. He's happy for the opportunity he got with them and the opportunity they gave him by sending him to us. That's the way I would be. Or he could be over there with them."

Though he used translator Ramón Alarcón this morning while talking to two reporters at his locker, Ramirez smiled when he heard the word "Yankees" and didn't need a middle man. He understood completely.

"It's very important," he said. "Obviously, I want to do well against my former team and show them what I can do over here. So obviously, I'm looking forward to it."

Ramirez is getting another chance in the rotation after allowing one earned run (two total) and only one hit in five innings against the Phillies. In his previous appearance, Ramirez tossed five scoreless relief innings against the Mariners after replacing Yacabonis.

"I feel very well, very thankful for the opportunity that I am receiving, and just honored to be considered for a start," he said.

David Hess has been optioned and is starting today for Norfolk. Ramirez has a chance to stick in the rotation and establish himself in the majors.

"I think there is an opportunity for that," he said. "At the same time, I have to perform, so I'll try to go out there and help my team and just let the game decide what happens."

Ramirez is making his third start and fourth appearance with the Orioles. He'd like to carryover what he brought to Wednesday's game in Philadelphia.

"I think what I want to try to bring in is to continue to work on my slider, my breaking ball, and continue to use my changeup, as well," he said. "I think I was working really well and I was able to execute them in my last start, so I'll try to execute them in my next start."

The slider has become an important pitch for Ramirez.

"It allows you to stay longer in the game and to be able to compete," he said, 'so I'll try to execute and hopefully everything works out well."

Chris Tillman was removed from the rotation and placed on the disabled list with a strained muscle in his lower back. He had a workday at Double-A Bowie, throwing around 45 pitches, and will start Tuesday night at Single-A Frederick.

After working six innings Thursday night with Norfolk, Tillman will be extended "as far as the game will let him go," Showalter said.

"I'd love to see him pitch eight or nine innings, but I doubt it. I'd like for him to pitch around six or seven, continue to get the pitch count up."

Update: Mitch Garver followed Max Kepler's leadoff walk with a two-run homer off Alex Cobb to break a scoreless tie in the fifth inning.

Update II: Eduardo Escobar hit a two-run homer off Cobb in the sixth to increase the lead to 4-0, and the right-hander left the game with head athletic trainer Brian Ebel after Logan Morrison reached on a bunt single.

Update III: The Twins sent 11 batters to the plate in the sixth and lead 10-0. Cobb was charged with four earned runs and five total in five-plus innings. Fry was charged with four runs (two earned) in two-thirds. Ryan Meisinger served up a three-run homer to Brian Dozier.