No structural damage in Hunter Harvey's elbow

The Orioles received good news today on pitching prospect Hunter Harvey, who was shut down again yesterday from his throwing program.

The discomfort in Harvey's right elbow is due to a mild case of tendinitis, according to an industry source.

Harvey had been cleared on Aug. 6 to resume flat-ground throwing after experiencing some stiffness in his right forearm that removed him from the mound. He complained yesterday of soreness in the elbow, which always sets off organizational alarms based on his Tommy John surgery in 2016.

Hand specialist Dr. Brian Schofield examined Harvey today in Sarasota and a scan didn't reveal any structural damage in the elbow.

The Orioles are hoping that Harvey, 23, eventually can pitch in the fall instructional league and perhaps the Arizona Fall League to build up innings that he's lost. He's made only nine starts with Double-A Bowie and registered a 5.57 ERA and 1.392 WHIP in 32 1/3 innings.

"Seems like just when he's getting ready to blossom it's another thing," manager Buck Showalter said today during his session with the media that included MASNsports.com's Steve Melewski. "I was talking to someone yesterday that is close to him and this is a challenge for him emotionally and mentally. I really feel for him."

Harvey was placed on the seven-day disabled list after a June 1 start against Trenton, when he allowed six earned runs in two innings. He sustained a shoulder injury, termed "posterior shoulder instability," before the outing while trying to avoid a line drive headed toward him in the Baysox dugout.

The first-round pick in 2013 might be pitching in the majors if he¬ remained healthy.

The Orioles recalled Harvey on April 9 to take left-hander Tanner Scott's roster spot, but optioned him two days later without using him.

Meanwhile, the Orioles are waiting for Mark Trumbo to make a decision - presumably on whether to undergo surgery on his right knee - after flying back to Baltimore Sunday night.

"It is what it is," Showalter told the media. "You like having Mark around for more than his ability to hit. He's been a guy that has been pretty consistent for us this year.

"It's a kick in the pants, but it opens up an opportunity to look at some other people too, so there are two sides to that. We'd rather have Mark. We look forward to whatever direction this goes that we can make sure he's not going to have as much of an issue with this. We can talk about this in more detail once they decide what direction they are going to go."

The Orioles were no-hit for six innings today by Blue Jays left-hander Thomas Pannone, making his first major league start, in a 6-0 loss. David Hess carried a shutout into the bottom of the seventh before Kendrys Morales homered again - his fourth in the series - and Miguel Castro just gave up five runs in the eighth without retiring a batter.

Today's loss makes the Orioles 0-10 this season at Rogers Centre. They've been shut out 12 times this summer.