Orioles option Gonzalez

The Orioles made room for starter Ubaldo Jimenez on their 25-man roster today by optioning Miguel Gonzalez to Triple-A Norfolk. Gonzalez is 6-6 with a 3.80 ERA in 20 games (19 starts) this season. In his last outing, he held the Blue Jays to one run over six innings in Toronto. Gonzalez has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of his last six starts. However, the Orioles need a spot in their rotation for Jimenez and manager Buck Showalter wants seven relievers at his disposal. He doesn't want to shuttle starters between the rotation and bullpen. Under these circumstances, Gonzalez became the odd man out. Gonzalez may not stay down for long. The Orioles could make other changes, especially with an off-day Thursday and another on Aug. 21. Rosters expand on Sept. 1. The Orioles withheld the official announcement on Gonzalez until Showalter checked on a couple of "nagging injuries" during batting practice. Showalter offered further confirmation that Kevin Gausman will start Sunday afternoon against the Cardinals, and Bud Norris will start Monday night against the Yankees. Showalter hasn't revealed the rest of his rotation. The Yankees are expected to start Chris Capuano and Shane Greene in the first two games. Michael Pineda could be activated from the disabled list and start Wednesday night. Manny Machado made his major league debut exactly two years ago today. His 28 home runs before age 22 are the second-most in franchise history behind Boog Powell's 35. The Orioles lead the majors with 144 home runs. The Blue Jays are second with 137. Showalter said he received a few text message from players last night following the 60th anniversary celebration. It was an emotional moment, and Showalter said a few tears were shed. FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal is wearing a LUNGevity Foundation bow tie today to honor former Orioles PR director Monica Pence Barlow, who died this spring at age 36 after a 4 1/2 year battle with Stage 4 lung cancer. The Oriole Bird also is wearing the bow tie today. The Orioles are again hosting the LUNGevity Foundation's "Breathe Deep Baltimore," a 5K run/walk on Sept. 20 at Camden Yards to raise funds and awareness for lung cancer in Barlow's memory. I'm honored to again be a member of Team Barlow. If you're interested in making a donation - no pressure - just click on this link and scroll down to my name. You also can register for the 5K. It's a great cause inside a great ballpark. We're still fighting, Monica. It ain't over till we say it's over.