Showalter pregame with some trade deadline talk (game update)

PHILADELPHIA - Earlier today Manny Machado was not ready to say much about possibly being an ex-Oriole before this month is out. Later, during his pregame press conference, manager Buck Showalter wasn't ready to answer whether he will be happy, sad and/or relieved when this month is over.

"You can ask me then," Showalter said. "I can't project my emotions that far away. I know what they are now. We've talked about it. Manny and I talked about it and he understands what is going on. Good players get talked about this time of year. He's been through it enough and he'll deal with that, if and when it gets here."

Players inside the Orioles clubhouse seem to also understand the situation. It is not all that complicated. This team will see some players traded and the roster is going to get an overhaul of some sort.

In recent trade deadlines there have been some moves. But the action never equals the trade talk and rumors. Not that it will this time either with all the constant speculation, but does Showalter sense his players feel a certain inevitability to the deadline this year in that moves are surely coming this time?

"Not where they come in and want to talk about it," he said. "It's a mature group and they know how it works for the most part. I know Dan (Duquette) and his group are working hard on ways to improve the club now and in the future. So, I think everybody understands what the next three or four weeks bring. Also understand that's not a hard line either. Things can happen after that too. There were some great deals the last two or three years after the deadline that really helped."

In the latest Orioles roster move today, outfielder Joey Rickard was added from Triple-A. He takes the spot of Colby Rasmus who left the team yesterday and was put on the restricted list. This is Rickard's third stint with the club. He's batting .203 this year in the majors but .303 with Norfolk. He has hit safely in his past five games with the Tides, going 7-for-21 with two doubles and six RBIs.

"That's the thing....it's kind of like with Donnie Hart. They control it. Joey goes down and plays well. That is why he is always a solid option for us. Glad to get him back. Our guys have been good about that. I think because they know the opportunity is going to be there again," the skipper added.

Showalter will never handicap a roster move and tell reporters why one player was recalled over another. But he was asked today if Triple-A outfielder Cedric Mullins is getting closer to Baltimore.

In 24 games since June 9th, Mullins has hit .313 (30-for-96) while ranking among International League leaders in runs (1st, 23), extra-base hits (T-2nd, 15), total bases (3rd, 53), doubles (T-3rd, 10), stolen bases (T-3rd, 4) and hits (T-3rd, 30).

"That's for Dan and Brian (Graham) and RJ (Norfolk manager Ron Johnson) if we have a need. Cedric is doing well. It's good to see him starting to show himself well at that level. One thing Cedric has always brought is above-average defense. Through thick and thin, he's been a contributer defensively. We'll see where it takes us. I'm excited about his progress."

Showalter confirmed again today that Dylan Bundy will leave the disabled list and re-enter the rotation this weekend in Minnesota.

"Yeah, he was out here today doing a lot of agility (work). He's the starter Friday. So we'll have to make a move day after tomorrow."

O's get lead: The Orioles took a 1-0 lead against the Phillies and their 10-game winner Aaron Nola today. Adam Jones' double to left-center in the third scored Tim Beckham, who had walked. Jones had just one RBI the previous 13 games. Yefry Ramirez got through the first two innings on 26 pitches.

Now Phillies have it: The Phillies scored twice in the fifth to lead 2-1. After a one-out walk, Scott Kingery doubled for Philadelphia's first hit. Then Jorge Alfaro hit a grounder along the first base line. Chris Davis saw the ball get by him for an error with both runs scoring for the lead. It was a very makeable play and the Philies now have the lead.