Notes on Hunter, Wieters, Reimold, Machado and the rotation

HOUSTON - Orioles reliever Tommy Hunter will throw a bullpen session Sunday at Prince George's Stadium, home of the Double-A Bowie Baysox. "That's good news," said manager Buck Showalter. Hunter is on the disabled list with a strained left groin. He's eligible to return on June 5, which remains a realistic goal. "He's got a shot at making it," Showalter said. Hunter will throw a couple of bullpen sessions and likely appear in two rehab games before rejoining the Orioles. "It'll be good to get him back," Showalter said. "I think Tommy's going to come back and really help us." Catcher Matt Wieters' right elbow feels fine after he made 25 throws yesterday. He's going to play catch again on Sunday. "That was encouraging," Showalter said. Nolan Reimold continues to play in extended spring training games in Sarasota. "Nolan's doing good," Showalter said. "I was talking to Brady (Anderson) about it after the game last night. We called Nolan last night, Brady did, and I heard the conversation. Said it's the best he's felt in a long, long time. Really encouraging." Manny Machado is in a 1-for-18 slump and continues to bat seventh in the order with his average down to .210 in 26 games. "Guys are pitching him good," Showalter said. "It's a combination of Manny not being as consistent as he's capable of being. You've got to exercise some patience, but at the same time we all want it to happen yesterday. He spoiled us at a pretty good level. He hit, what, .280 last year? And at a young age. So, we know it's there. "We're just trying to be patient for him to work his way back into it, but that's a challenge. You try not to break his... He gets frustrated. He hides it pretty well. He's the same body language, the same everything that he was last year, just not getting the return. And it's frustrating for him. "I think sometimes we lose sight that he and Jonathan are 22 years old. They're basically college seniors. Every time somebody wants that train to leave... I try to slow it down a little bit. But he realizes this is an accountable place and he wants to do better for the right reasons, because he wants to help the team." Machado, who's also committed six errors, didn't have a normal spring training while recovering from October knee surgery. It's a convenient excuse for his slow start if anyone would take it. "I think we're at that point now very shortly that we can kind of put that behind us, because he's had over 100 at-bats," Showalter said. "Obviously, it's a challenge when you've done something your whole life, especially a young guy, and you throw a whole different pattern at somebody. It's a little different. But I think we're kind of getting to the point where that should be behind us." Showalter is expected to adjust the rotation following Monday's off-day rather than keep everyone in turn. He's already set up a tentative order with pitching coach Dave Wallace. "We're going to wait how Tilly (Chris Tillman) feels today," Showalter said. "No reason to think he wouldn't feel good. Dave and I have got it penciled in, but we decided to wait until we get through today. "With the two guys we know where they're going to fit, chances are we're going to tweak a couple things, some things we want to satisfy with some rest and the schedule a little bit. So, it probably won't fall right in turn. "I think one guy's going to get a couple extra days, so we're going to wait and see who's in best need of it once we get through today."