Orioles still undecided about Tuesday's starter (O's win 2-1)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - As tonight's game plays out, it's important to check which long relievers are warming for the Orioles and which ones may be used, perhaps eliminating themselves from consideration for Tuesday night's start at Yankee Stadium.

Pitch counts always factor into it, of course.

Also, someone has to piggyback Dylan Bundy on Sunday.

Vance Worley was warming early last night as Yovani Gallardo continued to labor and his count rose to 77 through three innings. However, he sat down and wasn't counted among the four relievers who closed out a 4-3 win over the Rays.

Manager Buck Showalter said he has four options for Tuesday's game, a group that figures to include Worley and Odrisamer Despaigne. It doesn't figure to include Ubaldo Jimenez, who's been demoted to the 'pen and may be reduced to mop-up duty while working through the latest issues with his command.

Mike Wright would be pitching on normal rest after starting Thursday for Triple-A Norfolk. However, he allowed four runs and nine hits over five innings in Rochester.

Tyler Wilson was pulled after 44 pitches last night, keeping him available for Tuesday if the Orioles wanted to recall him. He permitted four runs and six hits in 1 2/3 innings.

"Tyler's velocity was good," Showalter said. "He was 92-94. We felt that would happen. They said he was a little rusty. You know, that layoff.

"Mike didn't pitch particularly well for him."

Asked if Wilson remains in play, Showalter replied, "They're all in play right now. They will eliminate themselves as this game and tomorrow's game get played. I've got four options right now."

As always, stay tuned.

Darren O'Day could return soon to a bullpen that already ranks among the best in baseball. The 3.08 ERA is second in the American League and fourth in the majors.

O'Day threw his second bullpen session today after playing catch in the outfield and will pitch in a simulated game Tuesday afternoon in New York.

"It went well," Showalter said. "He did some PFP out there, too. That was real encouraging. There are good things going on there."

Showalter added that it's "too soon" to determine whether O'Day will need to go on a rehab assignment.

"I'm going to see how he feels and what he says," Showalter said. "He was crisp today. It was coming out good. I'm going to lean on him. He knows where he's got to be to do this and I trust him.

"It will be one or two sim games and either one or two outings. So, of those four things, it could be four or one. I don't know. We're going to take it each day as it comes."

Hyun Soo Kim will do some running Sunday morning to test his right hamstring, and the Orioles will determine whether he needs to go on the disabled list.

"Kim feels pretty good today," Showalter said. "Talking with him and Richie (Bancells) today, late morning tomorrow we're going to take him out and do what we attempted to do on Thursday. We'll do one of two things. We'll either probably DL him and head to Sarasota or declare him ready to play. So, one of those two things.

"He's feeling better, but we don't want to jeopardize losing those DL days. This is the fifth day we could backdate it."

Running has been an issue for Kim since injuring the hamstring Sunday at Camden Yards.

"It was Thursday, so we'll see how he feels," Showalter said. "There are some back and forth with the interpreter, trying to find out exactly what's going on. The only way to know for sure is to just take him out here tomorrow.

"Richie and I were talking. We were a little skeptical with Thursday flying from Baltimore, getting off the plane, coming out here and running. So, I'm expecting some good results tomorrow. I hope anyway."

Showalter warned reporters to not forget about Branden Kline, the pitching prospect who underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in October and is scheduled to throw on Monday.

"We're looking forward to getting Brandon back throwing again," Showalter said. "He's got a good arm."

Update: Matt Wieters singled with two outs in the second inning and J.J. Hardy followed with is fourth home run to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead.

Wieters was in an 0-for-18 slump, but he's now 9-for-24 lifetime against Matt Moore.

Update II: The Rays scored in the fourth on Logan Morrison's leadoff triple and Steven Souza, Jr.'s single. Morrison was awarded a home run until a crew chief review changed the ruling.

Update III: The Orioles won again tonight, defeating the Rays 2-1 at Tropicana Field and moving 17 games above .500 to tie their season high.

Tillman improved to 13-2 with a 3.29 ERA in 120 1/3 innings. He allowed one run and four hits in seven innings, with three walks and three strikeouts. He threw 92 pitches before Brad Brach replaced him and retired the Rays in order in the eighth.

Zach Britton recorded his 29th save and the Orioles (53-36) are assured of winning the series.