Notes on minor league signings, fifth starter and more

BOSTON - In searching for accomplishments from the Orioles last night, consider that Chris Tillman's right shoulder felt good during his two-inning start at extended spring training and Joey Rickard's left middle finger is healing faster than anticipated, and how outfielder Michael Bourn and former outfielder Dariel Álvarez were re-signed to minor league contracts.

One loss to the Red Sox, but not a total loss if you go searching for gains.

Bourn's right ring finger is healing nicely and he's eventually going to leave extended spring training for Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles can figure out later if his left-handed bat fits on a team with Hyun Soo Kim in left field, Seth Smith in right and right-handed hitters Rickard and Craig Gentry needed to platoon or be used for defensive purposes. And they seem to like having Trey Mancini on the roster, using him in right and left field without fear of embarrassment.

Pedro Álvarez is playing right field at Norfolk. He's also batting .190 after going 0-for-3 last night.

Doctors have recommended that Dariel Álvarez undergo surgery on his right elbow, according to an official. The Orioles can revisit the pitching experiment at a later date or let him go back to being a full-time outfielder, which puts him back in the predicament of no longer being viewed as a prospect at the position.

So you think the Orioles had a rough night? The Tides lost to Gwinnett 15-2 and needed outfielder Michael Choice to get the last out in the ninth inning. He was their most effective pitcher after Mike Wright allowed five runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings, Zach Stewart allowed five runs (four earned) - with two home runs - in 2 1/3 innings, and Parker Bridwell allowed five runs and six hits in two innings.

Dylan Bundy, who took the loss last night for the Orioles despite turning in his second quality start, has held opponents to a .196 average (22-for-112) with runners in scoring position in his career. The Red Sox were 0-for-6 last night while he was in the game.

Adam Jones hit his 250th career double in the sixth inning after Drew Pomeranz had retired 12 in a row. He played his 1,327th career game with the Orioles to tie Brian Roberts for 14th-most in club history.

The Orioles still have an unidentified starter listed for Saturday afternoon's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto. However, it's becoming easier to narrow the field if checking the results at Norfolk and trying to read between the lines.

Left-hander Jayson Aquino started on Sunday and would be working on an extra day's rest. Manager Buck Showalter contacted Norfolk pitching coach Mike Griffin to check on Aquino's bullpen session, and not because he was lonely. Aquino is in play to make his first major league start.

ESPN.com is listing Aquino as the starter versus the Blue Jays' Marco Estrada, who pitched on opening day, but that's not official. The Orioles haven't confirmed Aquino or tossed out his name for publication.

Alec Asher, obtained from the Phillies late in spring training, tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings on Monday against Gwinnett - walking none and striking out six - and would be working on normal rest.

Wright was allowed to throw 85 pitches last night while his ERA rose to 8.59 in two starts. He's not a candidate.

Gabriel Ynoa is scheduled to start tonight and would need to be scratched to stay in the running to join the Orioles. Left-hander Chris Lee is supposed to pitch Thursday.

Asher gets the nod if results are the only selling point, but that's not necessarily the case. Aquino allowed four runs and six hits in three innings in his debut, Ynoa surrendered five earned runs (seven total) and 10 hits in 2 2/3 innings, and Lee allowed eight runs and nine hits in 3 1/3 innings.

Center fielder Cedric Mullins collected 12 hits in his first 22 at-bats after making the jump from low Single-A Delmarva to Double-A Bowie, with a double, triple, three home runs, eight RBIs, two walks and 10 runs scored. The third home run, on Monday, came from the right side of the plate and again forced Showalter to notice him.

So what did Mullins do last night? Start out 2-for-2 with a double and run scored, of course, and add another single later to go 3-for-4 and raise his average to .577.

I'm hearing the theory that Mullins could be one of those players who gets better the more he's challenged, such as moving him from the South Atlantic League to the Eastern League at 22.

"Maybe, maybe," Showalter said. "It's early. He's off to a good start. So are some other people, but Cedric seems to have carried over what he did this spring, which is good to see. He's another one of those guys who doesn't appear on our prospect list that people miss on. It's OK. Just keep missing."