Showalter on Scott's arrival and today's lineup

NEW YORK - Left-hander Tanner Scott had a work day this morning and will come off the taxi squad before Sunday afternoon's series finale against the Yankees.

The Orioles are discussing the corresponding 40-man roster move necessary to create a spot for Scott, 23, who went 0-2 with a 2.22 ERA in 24 starts at Double-A Bowie. He allowed 45 hits, walked 46 batters and struck out 87 in 69 innings.

"Tanner is in the building," said manager Buck Showalter. "He hasn't pitched in a week, so he's going to have a pretty extensive work day today, get back on the mound. He's been playing catch during the time he was at home. He'll be active tomorrow.

"We're going to have to protect him anyway at the end of the year. And it's as much about being around the environment. Everything that you can eliminate, one more challenge that guys face. I think we saw it some with Trey (Mancini) last year. Just like to have him around and have things that don't surprise him next year. Hopefully, I'll be able to get him in some games, but we'll see."

Scott is scheduled to pitch for Salt River in the Arizona Fall League and will remain in a starting capacity.

"I believe they're trying to stretch out his innings a little bit more," Showalter said. "He had a couple hiccups physically that kept him from getting where they want him to go.

"I wish he wasn't a week away from pitching, but he's been working on five and six days' rest all year, so it shouldn't be a big deal."

Asked whether he projects Scott as a major league starter or reliever, Showalter replied, "Yes."

The Orioles would prefer to develop Scott as a starter if he's capable of it.

"That's always the (preference)," Showalter said. "Sometimes, the need of the major league team makes that come a little earlier than the other ones. I'm not saying that's our need, but sometimes you have to satisfy that.

"Obviously, our biggest need is going to be starting pitching. Always. Every team's need is starting pitching. It's hard to find."

Scott mostly was restricted to three innings in his starts with Bowie after being a reliever earlier in his professional career. Showalter isn't committing to using Scott for a specific number of innings. It could be a few hitters or multiple frames, matchups or length.

"It's kind of like with (Gabriel) Ynoa last night," Showalter said. "We're trying to win games and develop players, unlike a lot of other teams at this stage. Every time we can get a better look and a better feel and expose some guys to some things they need to be exposed to, we've got to take advantage of it, whether it's short or long.

"I'm not going to back myself in a corner. Maybe the other team doesn't let him pitch two or three innings. That's happened some in Bowie and there's a chance that it could happen here. But I'll try to get him in there."

Showalter is sitting Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo today against Yankees left-hander Jordan Montgomery.

"They're fine other than normal wear and tear," Showalter said. "I needed to get J.J. (Hardy) out there for a start and I really want to keep Beck (Tim Beckham) leading off for us because we really don't have anybody else who can do that. Joey (Rickard) could. And I wanted to get Austin (Hays) out there against a left-hander. He's done real well against them at the other levels.

"Looking at the matchups today and tomorrow, I know who they're pitching tomorrow (CC Sabathia) and it kind of fits a lot better if you look at the matchups and guys who should play against the starting pitcher tomorrow and who should play today."