More on the trades and a closer look at Miley

The questions poured in yesterday as baseball reached its non-waiver trade deadline.

Why didn't the Orioles get a frontline starting pitcher? Are they done making deals? Who comes off the 25-man roster for Steve Pearce and Wade Miley? Is Nolan Reimold finished? When will Miley make his first start?

The Orioles never had the pieces to acquire a top-of-the-rotation starter. They dealt from a farm system strength to reacquire Pearce, sending Single-A Frederick catcher Jonah Heim to the Rays.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette will continue his search for pitching this month. Players must pass through waivers before they can be traded. It happens every summer.

Two roster moves are pending and it's going to be a super interesting day at Camden Yards. Duquette hinted on MLB Network Radio that the Orioles could carry 13 pitchers due to Pearce's versatility. What's left unspoken is how they must continue to carry Ubaldo Jimenez unless they can work a deal later, swapping out cumbersome contracts, or release him.

At least one pitcher will be sent down. Long relievers Tyler Wilson and Odrisamer Despaigne have options.

Reimold may seem redundant with Pearce, who also can platoon with Hyun Soo Kim in left field and serve as a right-handed designated hitter. But with Joey Rickard on the disabled list, perhaps until September, who's going to back up Adam Jones in center field if Reimold is designated for assignment? Ryan Flaherty would be the only option.

Pearce and Reimold can co-exist on the roster - the Orioles currently have a three-man bench - but the former would figure to take at-bats from the latter.

Pearce also can play in the infield, his versatility a major attraction to the Orioles. They also love his attitude, his "want to," as manager Buck Showalter calls it. He's extremely popular in the clubhouse, which will welcome him back with open arms and a fair amount of teasing for again living up to his boomerang reputation.

Unless Showalter decides to alter his rotation for the Rangers series that begins tonight, Miley will have to wait until the weekend series against the White Sox to make his first start with the Orioles. He's 1-3 with a 5.96 ERA in four career starts against the White Sox and he's allowed seven runs and 17 hits in 13 2/3 innings in two starts at U.S. Cellular Field. He's 1-4 with a 5.55 ERA in six starts against the Rangers.

Pearce has never faced Yu Darvish, who starts tonight for the Rangers. Darvish is making his first start against the Orioles in the regular season, believe it or not, but he faced them in the 2012 American League wild card game and allowed three runs (two earned), walked none and struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings.

Nate McLouth was the left fielder and leadoff hitter that night in Arlington, Tx. Chris Davis played right field - Endy Chavez was the defensive replacement - Mark Reynolds was the first baseman, Flaherty was the second baseman and Lew Ford and Robert Andino were used as pinch-runners.

Seems so long ago.

Mark Trumbo is 4-for-25 with 10 strikeouts against Darvish. J.J. Hardy is 2-for-3.

Dylan Bundy has faced the Rangers twice in relief this season and shut them out on one hit over four innings. He's finished both games.

Let's learn a little more about Miley:

Miley was the 43rd-overall pick in the 2008 draft out of Southeastern Louisiana. He was 6-6 with a 5.44 ERA and 1.446 WHIP in 16 starts over 92 2/3 innings in the first half this season, and 1-2 with a 2.79 ERA and 0.879 WHIP in three starts over 19 1/3 innings in the second half.

Did the rotation add another slow starter? Miley has posted a 6.63 ERA in the first inning this season, with 14 earned runs in 19 innings. Opponents are batting .320.

Left-handers are hitting .239 against Miley this season and .248 in his career. Right-handers are batting .284 this season and .270 in his career.

Miley owns a career 4.26 ERA in the first half and a 3.81 ERA in the second. His 3.72 ERA in August is the second-lowest for any month after his 3.16 ERA in July. Also, Miley owns a 3.52 ERA in day games and a 4.31 ERA at night.

Looking within the division, Miley is 4-2 with a 2.81 ERA in eight career starts against the Rays and 2-1 with a 1.78 ERA in four starts at Tropicana Field. He's 1-3 with a 6.04 ERA in five starts against the Blue Jays and 0-2 with a 5.52 ERA in five starts against the Yankees. He's never faced the Red Sox.

Miley is 1-3 with a 3.78 ERA in six starts against the Nationals and 1-1 with a 0.92 ERA in three starts in D.C. He's 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA in 13 starts against the Padres, 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two starts against the Athletics, 2-2 with a 1.59 ERA in five starts against the Marlins, 4-2 with a 3.43 ERA in six starts against the Royals, 7-2 with a 3.79 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) against the Rockies, 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA in six starts against the Astros, 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in two starts against the Mariners, 4-1 with a 3.46 ERA in six starts against the Cubs and 1-3 with a 5.96 ERA in four starts against the White Sox.

Miley has a 1.69 ERA in four starts with umpire Tim McClelland behind the plate and an 8.78 ERA in three starts with Toby Basner behind the plate.

Think I'll stop here.