Pregame notes on Yacabonis, Wynns and Araujo (O's down 9-2)

Jimmy Yacabonis seems to be enjoying his new role as starter and his designation as 26th man for doubleheaders.

Yacabonis drove to Camden Yards yesterday, leaving behind his 3.93 ERA, 1.16 WHIP in .208 average-against in 20 starts with Triple-A Norfolk.

"He embraces it and he loves it compared to the alternative," said manager Buck Showalter. "He knows what his role is and what he's going to do, and he comes in here and kind of gun slings it and see what happens.

"He's aware of the program he's going to be on the rest of the year, where his innings are and his rest and his ups. I think he appreciates the opportunity that he's getting. You saw his last one, he came in and just, 'Here it is. Let it rip.'"

There isn't a long list of candidates for the spot, but Yacabonis hasn't gotten the job by default.

"Where we are, as far as with some of the injuries and things we've got going on, it's kind of him," Showalter said. "Fortunately, the other part of the personality kind of fits it. But the Yankees will have something to say about it."

Showalter preferred to have Yacabonis start Game 1 and Andrew Cashner work the nightcap.

"I don't like him sitting around until 7 o'clock," Showalter said.

The Orioles are making arrangements in case they need a pitcher for Game 2 of the doubleheader.

Rookie Austin Wynns is catching Game 1 after also being behind the plate last night for the 10-inning loss. Caleb Joseph will be paired with Cashner.

"He's had a lot of time off," Showalter said. "It fits real well, fits him. Caleb and Cashner work well together.

"About three other reasons that I'm not going to talk about publicly."

Rule 5 pick Pedro Araujo is starting a throwing program and could return in September after rosters expand.

Araujo is on the DL with a right elbow strain. He hasn't pitched since allowing four runs in one inning in Toronto back on June 10. He's 1-3 with a 7.71 ERA and 1.679 WHIP in 20 appearances over 28 innings. He's averaging 5.8 walks and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings.

Showalter wants to get another look at Araujo before the season ends.

"It just depends on how that progresses," Showalter said. "I hope so. I'd like to see him again, let him finish the year healthy."

Alex Cobb developed a blister on his pitching hand last night, but he's still expected to make his next start.

Head athletic trainer Brian Ebel worked on the blister between innings last night and Cobb notched his sixth consecutive quality start.

"I'll tell you, Brian Ebel and his staff have done a great job managing Cobb's blister," Showalter said. "Things like that we really don't talk about over the course of a year, and then you see guys go on the DL with a blister and you realize there are differences in the way they're handled

"It's one of those things that every trainer has a kind of a theory and an approach to it. Brian and Richie (Bancells) have been great. This is the best I've ever seen trainers with blisters. A lot of times you have to take a guy out of the game or you have to put him on the DL to try to get it healed. They have a pretty good approach to it. It's been impressive to watch how they handle it."

Sonny Gray starts Game 2 tonight for the Yankees.

For the Yankees
Brett Gardner LF
Giancarlo Stanton DH
Aaron Hicks CF
Miguel Andújar 3B
Neil Walker 2B
Gleyber Torres SS
Luke Voit 1B
Kyle Higashioka C
Shane Robinson RF

J.A. Happ LHP

Update: Yacabonis fell behind 1-0 in the first inning on Miguel Andújar's ground ball that scored Giancarlo Stanton, who walked with one out and moved to third base on Aaron Hicks' double.

Update II: Renato Núñez's two-run single in the second gave the Orioles a 2-1 lead.

Update III: Hicks tied the game in the third with an RBI single and Andújar followed with a three-run homer to give New York a 5-2 lead.

Update IV: Ryan Meisinger replaced Yacabonis with a runner on second base and one out in the fourth inning, and Brett Gardner hit a two-run homer to expand the lead to 7-2.

Update V: Luke Voit's RBI single off Meisinger in the fifth increased the lead to 8-2.

Update VI: Gleyber Torres homered off Sean Gilmartin in the eighth to give the Yankees a 9-2 lead.