Notes on Machado, Beckham, Britton and more (O's lead 3-1)

The Orioles completed their batting practice session and the lineup hasn't changed. Unless there's a late switch, Manny Machado will play third base and bat second.

Machado is recovering from an illness that kept him out of last night's game.

Showalter advised the media earlier today to avoid copying the lineup in ink.

"Want to see if he gets to feeling better moving around or not, so he's kind of 50-50," Showalter said. "We'll see how he feels.

"This stuff going around isn't some head cold. It's more than that. Some of them are running a fever with it.

"I got real close to Manny a couple times today, so keep your distance from me. It'll be like a day after the season and I'll get it."

J.J. Hardy is starting at shortstop again while Tim Beckham recovers from yesterday's procedure to remove an abscessed wisdom tooth.

"Tim's still got some bleeding there in the socket," Showalter said. "Those of you all who have had wisdom teeth out, this one was a little different. It abscessed. But he wants to play. It's bleeding some and running around might exacerbate that a little bit, so we're going to be careful."

Beckham eventually will be facing his former team for the first time since the trade at the non-waiver deadline, the organization that made him the first overall pick in the 2008 draft. He hopes to return to the lineup on Friday.

Asked for his favorite memory from his time with the Rays, Beckham replied, "Being drafted. That was fun. But it's new scenery over here and it's the start of a new journey and it's been fun. That's in the past and I want to keep it going."

Closer Zach Britton will wait until Friday morning to receive his stem cell injection in his left knee.

"That's not something that everybody's just carrying on the shelf, so they have to ship it in," Showalter said. "We were going to get it done this afternoon, but they're going to do it tomorrow now. Hopefully, they're able to get the stem cell liquid or whatever."

Surgery isn't a consideration for Britton. The strained MCL is expected to heal over the winter.

Showalter said doctors and athletic trainers have told him that "more than half the people" get positive results from the injection.

"They think it speeds up the healing process," he said.

Britton's absence won't prompt the Orioles to add another pitcher to their expanded roster, but they may bring up an infielder. Names have been discussed.

The Orioles haven't announced a starter for Sunday. Dylan Bundy could take the ball if he has a good work day.

Showalter left open the possibility that Mike Wright could make a start over the final week of the season. He didn't endorse or eliminate the idea.

"Mike's going to be 28 years old next year without an option," Showalter said. "That's something we know. And he's got a background in starting and relieving and the issue would be how he'd respond physically to relieving. Would he be able to recover and be a guy who could pitch out of the 'pen.

"Obviously, every team's need will always be a priority of starting, so there's always that potential that he could start. We talk about it. We put four or five guys on the board for the spots, whether it be Mike, whether it be Bundy or (Kevin) Gausman or even (Miguel) Castro. Maybe it's even Tanner Scott. We put them up there and then we start eliminating them. What's best for them.

"Mike, it will probably be two or three days before he can pitch again. But also, can we get through the next three games without using Castro, without using Mike Wright, without using these guys out of the 'pen? We've got some unknown quantities."

Wright has made 10 relief appearances for the Orioles this season. His last start came on June 17, 2016 against the Blue Jays, when he allowed eight runs in 3 2/3 innings.

"Mike's an option for us starting," Showalter said. "So are three or four others. We'll see. What would you do? What are you going to gain from that that you don't already know? There's only one way to find out, right?"

For the Rays
Mallex Smith CF
Lucas Duda DH
Evan Longoria 3B
Logan Morrison 1B
Steven Souza Jr. RF
Corey Dickerson LF
Jesús Sucre C
Brad Miller 2B
Daniel Robertson SS

Matt Andriese RHP

Update: Machado stayed in the lineup and hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the first to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead. Adam Jones doubled and scored on Trey Mancini's single for a 3-0 lead.

Update II: Gabriel Ynoa gave up a run in the third on Brad Miller's leadoff double and Daniel Robertson's single. Austin Hays overran the ball in right field.