Possible roster moves and Duquette on rotation

Every team has its own injury complaints and complications, but the Orioles especially can be excused for cursing their fate.

Closer Zach Britton, set-up man Darren O'Day, first baseman Chris Davis and utility player Ryan Flaherty remain on the disabled list. Catcher Welington Castillo returns from the DL and third baseman Manny Machado is able to avoid it, but outfielder Seth Smith and reliever Mike Wright could be headed to it.

The Orioles didn't intend to keep taking the new 10-day DL for a test drive.

Manager Buck Showalter revealed in Chicago that Smith has a strained muscle in the middle of his back and Wright began to experience soreness in his right shoulder while working two innings in Wednesday night's 10-6 victory that snapped an 11-game road losing streak.

The discomfort reportedly surfaced after Wright threw a slider to José Abreu. And once again, fate has thrown the Orioles a curve.

Dr. Michael Jacobs will examine Wright's shoulder today in Baltimore. Meanwhile, the Orioles were short a reliever yesterday and they probably had to stay away from Ubaldo Jiménez after he threw 60 pitches on Monday, and Mychal Givens after he threw 30 on Wednesday.

"We're going to take a look at Wright's shoulder," said executive vice president Dan Duquette. "I thought he threw the ball pretty good, but he's transitioning from starter to reliever, so that's a different work routine. He may need a little time off. But every team in the big leagues is challenged by injuries. It's really part of the game, so you've got to have some depth and try to fight through the injuries."

The Orioles could recall Logan Verrett if Wright goes on the disabled list because he'd be replacing an injured player. No need to stay in the minors for the minimum 10 days. However, he threw 22 pitches yesterday in Game 1 of a doubleheader in Norfolk, getting a blown save and the loss after letting an inherited runner score and surrendering an unearned run in the seventh inning.

Tyler Wilson hasn't pitched since Sunday and would be on normal rest if the Orioles recall him. He's given up four earned runs in his last two starts over 13 innings. And he isn't listed as the Tides' starter over the next two games.

The bullpen still has only one left-handed reliever, Richard Bleier, and the Orioles could consider Jayson Aquino, Donnie Hart, Vidal Nuño or newcomer Lucas Luetge, the latter being the ultimate specialist. Aquino and Nuño can provide more length. Aquino is listed as Norfolk's starter tonight and he hasn't pitched since June 9.

The Orioles remain challenged to get quality starts out of their rotation, with only one in the past 10 games. Most recently, Wade Miley was gone after 2 1/3 innings Monday night, Alec Asher went five-plus Tuesday night, Dylan Bundy worked five innings Wednesday night and Chris Tillman lasted 5 1/3 yesterday. The Orioles lost three of four games in the series.

Kevin Gausman takes the ball tonight against the Cardinals to open the latest homestand. They desperately need the rotation to get on a roll.

Duquette has received criticism for not addressing the rotation in the offseason, though he made some depth moves by adding Gabriel Ynoa and Asher before April. They acquired Jordan Kipper from the Angels on May 6 for pitcher Damien Magnifico, who never lived up to his name.

"The thing with our club is our two starting pitchers from a year ago, Chris Tillman and Gausman, they both put up a 4 WAR. This year they haven't put up any positive WAR," Duquette said. "Our club is designed for them to be the one and two starters based upon the level of performance that they've established for themselves in the past. So, our expectations and our projections are that they're quality major league starting pitchers, and to date they certainly haven't pitched that well.

"Jiménez is a streaky pitcher. Jiménez is in the (last) year of his contract and we expect him to make a contribution to the team as well. Of course, you'd like to have more good starting pitching. Who wouldn't? But as far as the Orioles club and the struggles of the rotation, we're basing what our expectations of what these pitchers will do on what they've been able to do in the past and the level of performance that they've set for themselves.

"They're veteran major league pitchers. They should be able to make a contribution to this year's club, and I expect they will."

The focus always is internally first, but the Orioles will check on available starters before the non-waiver trade deadline.

"If our club is going to have a good year, we're going to have to get the pitchers that we have on our roster pitching effectively, OK?" Duquette said. "We always add when we can add when it makes sense. If we're going to advance and be a playoff team, of course we're going to be looking to add to our pitching staff. But we're going to have to find a way to be competitive in the interim."

As for the other possible roster move, losing Smith to the disabled list could lead to Craig Gentry's return to the Orioles. They have an open spot on their 40-man roster, and though they'd be replacing a left-handed bat with a right-handed hitter, they'd also have a plus defender and runner.

Pedro Álvarez would provide the left-handed bat, but not someone trusted in the outfield. He played both ends of yesterday's doubleheader against Indianapolis, went 1-for-6 and is hitting .212. He has one hit in his last 30 at-bats over eight games.