Showalter pregame on Adam Jones, the roster move and more

NEW YORK - Orioles center fielder Adam Jones was pinch-hit for in the ninth inning in Washington last night, but he's in the starting lineup tonight for the series opener against the Yankees in New York.

Jones was removed from the game due to cramping in his hamstring, but said after that contest at Nats Park that he would play tonight. When asked today about his health, he said simply, "I'm in the lineup, right?"

Manager Buck Showalter said Jones has tested the hamstring a few times here today.

"Adam has been here since about two o'clock," Showalter said. "We've been out here a couple times. We feel like he's okay to go. We'll see how batting practice goes. I've got two lineups. Could change it during batting practice, but right now he's playing."

The Orioles today made another roster move to add a fresh arm to their bullpen, reinstating left-hander T.J. McFarland from the 15-day disabled list and designating right-hander Logan Ondrusek for assignment off the 25-man roster.

Showalter hinted as the possibility of two bullpen moves after last night's game. But right-hander Mike Wright, who pitched last night, is still on the roster, and there was just one move made to add McFarland.

"He (Wright) feels good today and talking to him last night, we think he's available. Ondrusek needs at least two days off. And we'll see what tonight brings. I'm not sure if it's a straight option (with Ondrusek). There are some things he has to go through, but I know he's headed towards (Double-A) Bowie," Showalter said.

Showalter was asked if he was surprised McFarland was out so long with left knee inflammation. He pitched for the Orioles on June 28 and not again until Aug. 10 in the Gulf Coast League.

"Not really. It's either do it that way or have surgery. If you look at it kind of like Jonathan (Schoop), not the same thing, but if he had the surgery, he's out for the year. But doing it the way that we decided to it, we were able to get him back before the season's over. Been a long road for (McFarland). He was really good last night and he's ready to go."

Showalter said it remains too soon to project when reliever Darren O'Day can return. He was asked today if O'Day will be able to make a minor league rehab appearance before the minor league regular season ends on Sept. 5.

"I'm not going to get into projecting. He's not at a point yet where, once he picks up a baseball and starts throwing, we can make those projections. But, we'll have games that he can participate in, that's easy," he said.

The Orioles will have instructional league starting in mid-Septmeber in Sarasota and certainly could create games there for O'Day if needed as well as before the middle of the month, if they need to.

Showalter said that pitcher Chris Tillman, on the DL with right shoulder bursitis, will throw off flat ground on Tuesday. There had been some talk of him doing that as soon as Monday, but Tuesday will be the day.