Showalter pregame on O'Day and the challenge of the Texas trip

Orioles reliever Darren O'Day, on the disabled list since June 3 with a right hamstring strain, did some throwing on the field today at Camden Yards, but not yet on a mound. Manger Buck Showalter was asked if he has a timetable yet for O'Day's return.

"We can see one developing," Showalter said. "You know he has played catch and thrown but today was the first day where he simulated his delivery on flat ground and felt good. That is a good sign. So hopefully we are headed that way, but that is about as far as I can go. As far as getting on a mound and throwing to a catcher we are getting closer. Wouldn't say close, but closer."

Showalter said O'Day would probably throw in a simulated game when he is ready for that. After that he might need another sim game and/or a minor league game or two before he could return to the Orioles.

"That is a piece that we need to get back," Showalter said. "It's a challenge. We're going to have to maneuver some things around in this period without Manny (Machado). We need a starter for Wednesday, barring weather. If we take a guy from the bullpen or the minor leagues, we're going to have to make another adjustment. That is why it was important to have optionable pieces in our bullpen."

Tomorrow night the Orioles will play a one-game series at Texas. It's the makeup game from a rainout April 17. The O's have home games today and then the day after that trip on Tuesday. According to STATS, LLC, this is Baltimore's first one-game road trip (with home games before and after) since June 25, 1967 when the O's visited the Washington Senators.

The trip during a homestand presents a few challenges for the Orioles.

"I think the big one is coming back," Showalter said. "Once again getting to bed at six or seven o'clock in the morning. They certainly didn't do us any favors by setting a start time at basically eight. That is a challenge, one we face a lot though. Start times are not regulated.

"We have 10 people staying back tomorrow. We are leaving our third trainer here for the workout. Leaving a strength and conditioning guy. We are leaving all three other starters. If I have to use a guy real long in the bullpen today and I know I can't use him tomorrow, I'll leave him back. (Coach) Mark Quinn is going to stay back and run the workout and Ramon (Martinez) will stay back with the pitchers. Ben Werthan will stay back to prepare the San Diego advance report. We met yesterday to make sure we have it organized. About what is going on here and what is going on there. Saved some money on hotels. It almost feels like going to play the Wild Card (game) there."

There will be some players taking part in a workout Monday at Camden Yards but Machado will not be in that group, Showalter said. Machado, who begins serving his four-game suspension today, will work out, but not at the ballpark on Monday.

Showalter said the Orioles will see several left-handed starters coming up. Lefty Derek Holland of Texas pitches against the Orioles tomorrow and they expect to see three in the series that starts Friday against Tampa Bay.

As usual, Showalter referenced something from the minor leagues. This time it was some good pitching on the farm last night.

"I was down there watching some of our guys' outings last night. We had some really good outings. Tanner Scott, (Ariel) Miranda, (Garrett) Cleavinger, Donnie Hart again. Oliver Drake. Probably missing a few. I watched about six of them."

Showalter said he talked to Caleb Joseph, who feels good after serving as designated hitter the past two days at Single-A Frederick. Joseph has gone 2-for-6 with a pair of singles and two RBIs in those games. Joseph will take part in the workout at Camden Yards tomorrow.