Showalter talks corner outfield and more, Gallardo on 'pen session

HOUSTON - Today's pregame session with Orioles manager Buck Showalter included several injury updates. In addition, Showalter was asked about playing time at the corner outfield positions.

Hyun Soo Kim is starting for the second straight day and Nolan Reimold started last night. Any changes coming here for the Orioles?

"We'll take it day to day and keep everybody involved," he said. "I had two lineups for the first game. I thought he (Kim) matched up well with these three starters. We'll see. That's up to him. He's doing well, want to put him in there for the most part. Last night, he squared some balls up.

"He's running better, too. He is about 12 pounds, at least, less than he was when he got to camp. They are there so long (in spring training in Korea), like three months - I think they use that to get in shape. Not that he was out of shape, but he's moving a lot better now than when we first got to spring."

* Matt Wieters will catch tonight for the third day in a row for the first time this year. Showalter said the Orioles had that somewhat mapped out to happen around this time.

"Lot of it depends on how much throwing he's had to do," Showalter said. "Sometimes you worry about him having to make six or seven throws, and John (Russell) and I think about that. I think he's made one throw here in three games. He feels good. This is a good time (to do it)."

* Shortstop J.J. Hardy may stay in Sarasota when the Orioles return home on Monday. He has been there rehabbing a fractured left foot.

"Talked to J.J. today," Showalter said. "Probably going to stay there a little bit until he can get into baseball activities. We are going to revisit that this weekend. Want to make sure he is into baseball activities before he comes back."

Does this change the timetable to get Hardy back?

"There really was none," Showalter said. "In fact, he's still ahead of what some people project is normal. The healing process is pretty much done."

* Left-hander T.J. McFarland should return to the Triple-A active roster soon. Today, he took part in drills and there were no problems with his left knee. He'll throw 30 pitches in a two-inning simulated game on Friday.

* Showalter said the Orioles still are not sure if Yovani Gallardo will throw a second simulated game after his two-inning sim game set for Saturday in Cleveland. He could go right out to a minor league rehab start next or throw another simulated game.

Gallardo said he threw a 30-pitch bullpen session here yesterday. He said he threw with more effort than he used in a 25-pitch session on Sunday in Anaheim. Sunday's 'pen was his first since he went on the disabled list April 23 with right shoulder tendinitis.

"It was a bullpen at a higher intensity," Gallardo said. "I threw all my pitches and it definitely felt a lot better, you know, command-wise and mixing everything in. Definitely a lot sharper than the first time. Felt good. This was a 'pen with high-intensity from the get-go. Full-out effort. Threw curveballs and sliders and mixed in changeups."

* Showalter talked about Double-A Bowie right-handed pitcher Parker Bridwell, who went on the Baysox disabled list today. He is on the Orioles' 40-man roster, but now is expected to be out four to six weeks.

"He has a broken rib," Showalter said. "He actually pitched his last start with it. You know those West Texas guys - Parker's a tough bird. That is why I like him. I would not sell him short. I really like him. I think he's going to be a good bullpen piece. I do."