Roster rumblings related to Rickard

CINCINNATI - The Orioles were barreling toward an extremely difficult roster decision today, one almost as perplexing as the Cincinnati airport and my hotel actually being in Kentucky. But circumstances intervened again.

Isn't that usually the case?

Outfielder Joey Rickard is eligible to come off the disabled list, but his left middle finger needs more time to heal. The Orioles need more time to decide how to create a spot for him on the bench or whether to expand it again.

Remember when Rickard's placement on the disabled list coincided with left-hander Wade Miley being activated to make his first start?

Seth Smith exited last night's game with a strained right hamstring, making him a candidate for the disabled list, though he downplayed the severity of the injury following a 9-3 loss to the Reds. Would his removal from the active roster have any sort of a domino effect that eventually reaches Rickard?

Trey Mancini won't let the Orioles take the easy path of optioning him to Triple-A Norfolk once Rickard is ready. He's batting .348/.400/.913 with four home runs in eight games. And because he's competent in the outfield, there's no position excuse for sending him down.

Granted, having Mancini as a right-handed platoon in the outfield destroys the plan to upgrade the defense, but he's also destroying baseballs. He's one of only three players in history to hit seven home runs in his first 12 games. And he isn't driving in one run and giving up two, the formula that manager Buck Showalter uses to explain why young players must be able to defend.

Craig Gentry is out of options and the Orioles are convinced that he'll get claimed by another team if placed on waivers. Plenty of fans didn't care as Gentry started out 0-for-13, but he had two hits Sunday, including a home run, and he already demonstrated his value in the field and on the basepaths.

If there's a way to keep him, the Orioles will do it.

Rickard could be activated and optioned. He's no longer under Rule 5 restrictions.

It would be unfortunate for Rickard, who had another tremendous spring before jamming his finger on April 8 while sliding into second base on a stolen base attempt. Adding insult to injury, the safe call was reversed upon review.

Rickard has to show the Orioles that he can stay healthy. Or at least his left hand. He tore a ligament in his thumb on July 20 and missed the rest of the season.

The Orioles could try to go back to a five-man bench, which also includes utility player Ryan Flaherty and backup catcher Caleb Joseph. But they'd have to subtract a reliever and they're no longer operating with an eight-man bullpen now that the rotation is filled.

There would be the obvious risk with closer Zach Britton on the disabled list. They could option Stefan Crichton again or remove a long reliever.

Vidal Nuño is the left-handed long man, if a team can afford such a luxury. His first three outings lasted a total of 2 1/3 innings, but he worked 2 1/3 last night after replacing Kevin Gausman in the third. He worked the ninth Sunday in Toronto, mop-up duty in a blowout, and allowed his first two runs.

Tyler Wilson served up a walk-off home run to Kendrys Morales on Saturday and returned the next day to record the final out in the eighth inning after the Blue Jays scored a run off Crichton. He walked Russell Martin and retired Steve Pearce on a screaming liner to deep left field.

The short outing lowered Wilson's ERA to 9.00 in three innings with a 2.000 WHIP. He returned last night and tossed two scoreless innings to leave his ERA at 5.40. It's headed in the right direction.

Could he be headed to Norfolk with the Orioles needing a fresh arm tonight? Nuño also is a possibility. Or the Orioles could option Alec Asher, bring up a reliever and then decide who takes Asher's turn in the rotation this weekend.

Rickard is expected to go on an injury rehab assignment before the Orioles activate him, and other roster moves could eliminate some of the above-mentioned possibilities. This team never goes stagnant. There could be a flurry of activity before Rickard comes back.

Meanwhile, Ubaldo Jiménez gets the start tonight and he's in desperate need of a good outing after allowing 10 runs and 15 hits in 8 2/3 innings.

Jiménez is 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in six career starts against the Reds, with 13 earned runs (14 total) in 39 innings. He's 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA in three starts at Great America Ball Park, with four runs in 21 innings.

Only three current Reds have faced Jiménez and they're a combined 8-for-19. Joey Votto is 5-for-15 with two doubles, Zack Cozart is 2-for-2 with a double and Arismendy Alcantara is 1-for-2.

The Reds are countering with rookie left-hander Amir Garrett, who's 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA in two road starts over 12 2/3 innings. Left-handers are batting .143 and right-handers are batting .167.

Showalter probably will keep Mark Trumbo in the outfield, but does he start Gentry or Mancini in the other corner?