Ryan Lavarnway's return, today's game and the bullpen

BOSTON - Catcher Ryan Lavarnway figures to make at least one start for the Orioles during their four-game series against the Red Sox. Perhaps it comes today with first pitch scheduled for 4:05 p.m. following last night's 3-2 loss to the Red Sox.

Lavarnway is making his return to Fenway Park, having spent parts of four seasons with the Red Sox after being chosen in the sixth round of the 2008 draft out of Yale University.

"Yeah, this place will always hold a special place for me," he said. "My first experience in professional baseball, my first opportunity. It's a great place for me."

Once viewed as the catcher of the future in Boston, Lavarnway batted .201/.249/.315 in 97 games with the Red Sox. He was selected off waivers by three different clubs since Dec. 5, including the Orioles.

"Everything happens for a reason," he said. "I don't have any negative feelings toward the Red Sox. They did what they thought was best for them and I feel like I'm in the right place now.

"I didn't even know where this clubhouse was. I got lost a little bit looking for it. Looking at the field from a different angle now, but once you get between the lines, it's the same game."

Lavarnway has no idea how the crowd will react to him, but he doubts that the reception will be harsh.

"The city, the fans have always been great," he said.

Coming back to Boston has given Lavarnway, a career .194 hitter in 98 at-bats at Fenway Park, a chance to catch up with old friends.

"My best man from my wedding actually works up in the Pru (Prudential Building). I can see his office from here. Had lunch with him today," said Lavarnway, who's 1-for-6 in two games with the Orioles.

"Had some other friends call me. Going to college around in this area helps, so there's a lot of friends around."

Just not as many familiar faces in the home clubhouse.

"A lot of the team is different," Lavarnway said. "I don't recognize half the guys."

Chris Tillman gets the start today for the Orioles and he needs to provide innings after Ubaldo Jimenez's ejection in the fourth last night for hitting Pablo Sandoval on the right shoulder.

Darren O'Day was called upon in the sixth last night, his earliest appearance since May 2014. Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia has been used twice this season, most recently on April 10. Manager Buck Showalter stated that you can't stash a pitcher in the bullpen, especially in the American League, so he's got to use Garcia or the Orioles may have to place him on waivers.

"I don't feel hamstrung," Showalter said. "We like the potential he has and that's kind of who we are. You don't see the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers do that, but we like the return we might get from him. He'll get some opportunities to pitch in meaningful situations as the game dictates. We haven't been put in harm's way with it yet."

Even so, the Orioles may be forced to make a roster move today and bring up a fresh arm.

Anyone suggesting that left-hander T.J. McFarland is coming up must be reminded that he started two nights ago and isn't available.

Kevin Gausman has allowed six earned runs (seven total) and eight hits in six innings for a 9.00 ERA. Does he remain in the bullpen or do the Orioles option him to Triple-A Norfolk and stretch him out as a starter, the role they project for him?

He has the potential to be a weapon in the bullpen, but the results aren't there.

Tillman's ERA jumped to 7.71 in 9 1/3 innings after a scoring change from Saturday's game against the Blue Jays led to four additional earned runs. He's 7-3 with a 2.69 ERA in 16 career starts against the Red Sox and 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA in seven starts at Fenway Park.

Shane Victorino is 4-for-11 (.364) with a home run against Tillman. Dustin Pedroia is 10-for-35 (.286) with two doubles and Brock Holt is 3-for-5 (.600).

David Ortiz is 3-for-27 (.111) with a home run and Xander Bogaerts is 2-for-14 (.143) with a home run.

Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz is 9-4 with a 3.86 ERA and three complete games in 17 outings (16 starts) against the Orioles, who are batting a collective .200 (19-for-95) against him. Travis Snider is 1-for-17 (.059) with nine strikeouts. Adam Jones is 6-for-29 (.207) with three doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs. Alejandro De Aza is 4-for-13 (.308) with a double.