Showalter on the rotation, Hardy and Bowie's title

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles continue to list Ubaldo Jimenez and Chris Tillman as the first two starters for the D.C. series, and TBD on Wednesday.

Tyler Wilson's turn falls on Wednesday after he allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Rays in the second game of the series.

"Wally (Dave Wallace) wants to wait on a couple of things," said manager Buck Showalter. "I think we'll be able to announce that after today. He wants to see a work day, a couple of other things. With the off-day (Thursday), we get to play around with it a little bit."

Showalter often wants to get a player back on the mound or in the lineup after a poor performance. Wilson is a prime example.

"I would like to," Showalter said. "I think we all know he was better. It's not his forte. I'll give him a little pass. He had six days. Usually, guys that depend on command, you don't like them to sit around that long.

"I know he's real frustrated with it. I have a feeling you'll see him again. A lot depends on Miguel (Gonzalez). It's his side day today. If that goes well, we can start that moving quicker."

Gonzalez threw a bullpen session today and could start this weekend in Boston. He's 4-0 with a 2.83 ERA in seven career games at Fenway Park and 6-1 with a 3.27 ERA in 12 games against the Red Sox.

Paul Janish is starting at shortstop today. J.J. Hardy is fine physically. It's just a day off.

"Three days on the turf," Showalter said. "We want to give him a little blow. He'll be back in there tomorrow."

Showalter called Double-A Bowie coach Gary Kendall to offer congratulations following last night's win over Reading that clinched the Baysox's first Eastern League championship. He just made sure to wait a while and let the celebration play out.

"How cool was that?" Showalter said. "I was getting updates during our game. You thought I was calling video replay.

"I tried to give Gary a lot time. Fortunately, I've been in a little bit of that. I'm sure they were partaking of what was left over that they didn't have to send over to Reading."

Showalter was referencing the Reading players who called Bowie's clubhouse after taking a two games to one lead in the series and requesting their champagne and beer.

Is it important to win a Double-A title?

"Oh, without a doubt," Showalter said. "It's all relevant. I can remember Little League. I can remember being one game away from Williamsport. I can remember our state championship. I can tell you about every inning, who played what position. I remember how big that was. I remember every minor league championship I was lucky enough to be a part of.

"They played 152 games. I think learning how to win and what makes you win games is an important part of development. A lot of organizations, you hear them say when they don't win: 'Well, we're developing players.' And when they do win, they say, 'That's part of development,' so it's kind of a convenient thing. I think they go hand in hand. There are certain things during the season that you may sacrifice your best chance to win a game to develop players. That never takes a back seat, but you can do both.

"I think one of the best jobs done in the system was Delmarva with Ryan Minor and his group. Aberdeen was competitive this year. One of the more impressive things was how competitive the Gulf Coast League team was starting seven or eight 18-year-old players. There are a lot of clubs in that league that play 21-, 22-year-old players in that league."

Showalter said he's happy for Kendall, who's spent five seasons at Bowie and 16 in the organization.

"He's got a great track record of developing players," Showalter said. "You look at (Jonathan) Schoop, you look at (Manny) Machado, you look at (Matt) Wieters. I can go on and on, the guys who have come through that area."

There's also the quality coaching staff at Bowie, including pitching coach Alan Mills and hitting coach Keith Bodie, who joined the organization over the winter.

"I thought very quietly Keith Bodie was a real steal for us with his experience level to be on that coaching staff," Showalter said. "Here's a guy who's managed and done everything in professional baseball. So that was a real return for a lot of good people, a lot of good players.

Showalter rattled off the names of players who stepped up in the playoffs, including Caleb Joseph's older brother Corban and outfielder Mike Yastrzemski. He also noted the improved defense at shortstop with Ozzie Martinez, who signed a minor league contract over the winter.

"And I like the fact that (Trey) Mancini was real selective in the playoffs. He walked a lot because they were obviously pitching around him most of the series," Showalter said. "And they did it with a 20-year-old catcher who hadn't had much time in Double-A in Chance (Sisco). And (Quincy) Latimore really was a rock for them."