Orioles game cancelled due to rain (updated)

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Rays starter Chris Archer threw his first pitch this afternoon to Orioles center fielder Julio Borbon and rain began to fall. The dark clouds and flashes of lightning weren't a tease.

Borbon flied to center, Nolan Reimold struck out swinging and the grounds crew unrolled the tarp. Two batters and the Orioles had their first delay of spring training.

A few minutes later, they had their first cancellation.

Archer threw six pitches, five for strikes. Yovani Gallardo never made it out of the dugout until forced to make a mad dash to the clubhouse.

Manager Buck Showalter probably has to push back Gallardo to Sunday's game against the Rays in Sarasota or to the minor league complex. Chris Tillman is the scheduled starter.

Borbon, re-signed to a minor league deal last week, came over from Twin Lakes Park. It's unusual for such a player to get into the lineup, but Xavier Avery is unavailable due to a right hip flexor and Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard stayed back at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Adam Jones hasn't played a road game this spring.

"This guy's a little different," Showalter said of Borbon. "I know how much R.J. (Ron Johnson) and Brian (Graham) and everybody thought of him. He's a guy who, if we didn't have David (Lough) last year, we probably would have called him up.

"He's a really good defender. Doesn't throw particularly well. That's probably the bugaboo. But he's a plus-plus defender and a plus-plus runner. He's the type of guy that, one day when he's through playing, we'd like him here as a coach. Really a quality human being. We were glad to get him here. I know we've been trying to for a while. He might serve a purpose."

Borbon has spent the past two seasons at Triple-A Norfolk.

"He's a guy we're pretty familiar with," Showalter said. "I'm curious to see if he's the same guy. Sometimes, you see a guy and you don't know. He's always full of energy, he plays the game hard. He's a guy you can put in to pinch-run late in a game and he'll steal the base. He's an interesting guy. Big league experience."

Avery's hip injury surfaced two nights ago.

"I was talking to Richie (Bancells) today," Showalter said. "It's not going to be a day or two. He's a tough nut. If he's got something, you multiply it. He's a really physically tough guy.

"Richie said don't count on him in the next day or two. It's going to be a while."

Rickard got a rare day off. He's been a regular on road trips.

"Rickard doesn't know what to do with himself today," Showalter quipped.

Before today's game, or whatever we're calling it, Showalter tried to provide a timetable for Matt Wieters' return. Wieters took live batting practice this morning.

"I hope he's moving toward the field in a week," Showalter said. "Who knows? It could be eight days."

Wieters could get his at-bat as the designated hitter in minor league games, which would allow the Orioles to backdate his placement on the disabled list if he isn't ready for opening day.

Jeff Beliveau threw a bullpen session today and is scheduled to make his debut on Monday against the Red Sox's Single-A team. He's recovered from April labrum surgery.

"I think he's got a chance to contribute to us this year," Showalter said. "When is the question. We'll see. If you've got somebody who might be struggling and somebody's not even pitching and you don't know them, you automatically elevate that guy. We don't know enough about him yet, but from his background and what we've seen, if he's healthy and he can return to his form before the surgery, he has a chance to help us."

The Orioles were impressed by Beliveau when he faced them with the Rays.

"I saw a guy who didn't light up a gun, but guys did not center him up," Showalter said. "He's one of those late life guys who you don't see the ball well off him. If you stand in the batter's box, it's something you've got to eyeball. You've got to be at the game and stand close to the box to see it. It's not something you can analyze analytically, but he's got that type of arm. ...

"The fastball plays higher up. But we'll see if he can return to that form physically. I know pitching against us, I remember this guy was pitching a couple innings and everybody who came back (to the dugout) said the ball gets on you (quickly)."

Update: The Orioles announced that Tillman remains the starter for Sunday's game versus the Rays in Sarasota.