Showalter on Pearce, Duensing, left-handed relief and Tebow

OAKLAND - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said the club will made a decision on Steve Pearce's status no later than Thursday before heading to San Francisco.

Pearce is confident that he can avoid the disabled list after receiving a cortisone injection Sunday in his right forearm.

"Stevie's a little better today," Showalter said. "Still going to have to make a decision here probably before we go to San Francisco. It would be kind of tough to play short there. It's tough to play short anywhere.

"It's one of those things where it's so tough to test. For him, it's tough not to test it. If he's at the point where it bothers him to hit, then it's probably something you're going to have to do. But if you get to the point, like tomorrow with a left-handed pitcher, it kind of changes the way we're constructed a little bit. We'll see.

"Probably Thursday we'll have to make a decision one way or the other."

The Orioles could adjust if the only issue for Pearce is making throws from the outfield, but it's not that simple.

"All throws bother him somewhat now," Showalter said. "You can work around DHing him, but it's hard. It's the biggest challenge throwing. But now this one, the reason we injected is because it bothered him hitting."

Left-hander Brian Duensing is eligible to return from the 60-day disabled list on Aug. 18, but Showalter said, "He won't make it."

Duensing underwent surgery to remove cartilage chips from his elbow.

"He's just now starting to throw, but he's not too far away," Showalter said. "He's making good progress."

Showalter can't determine whether Duensing will be a September addition until the reliever gets on a mound and starts facing some hitters.

"It's kind of too early to project that," Showalter said.

The Orioles are operating without a left-handed specialist in the bullpen. They were hoping that right-hander Logan Ondrusek could defend against lefties, but they're 3-for-7 with two doubles against him, including Stephen Vogt's RBI single last night.

Finding the right guy, the bridge that gets them to Darren O'Day and closer Zach Britton, has been a work in progress.

"It's been a challenge for us," Showalter said. "There are some things you can do Sept. 1, but obviously there's a lot of games between now and then. We try to look at the team we're going to play.

"What it does is allow other teams to stack left-handed hitters back-to-back-to-back-to-back, which doesn't create as good a situation for guys like Darren. It's been a challenge, but we've been able to overcome it for most of the season."

Showalter noted how the Giants can run six or seven left-handed hitters out there, "and will."

Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow's interest in playing baseball was a popular topic today.

"I better leave that one alone," Showalter said, smiling. "Am I intrigued? No, not at all. Amused? No, not at all.

"I think about what these guys do in our Dominican Academy and Delmarva and Aberdeen and the Gulf Coast League and Frederick and Bowie and Norfolk, I take very seriously the stuff they have to do to get the opportunities and do what they're doing. Somebody will sell some tickets in the spring. I should be careful, we may sign him.

"I bet he was a good player in high school. I was, too."

Down on the farm, Tyler Wilson allowed one run over five innings today at Triple-A Norfolk. Gwinnett managed five hits, but Wilson didn't walk a batter. He was removed after 72 pitches.