Today's game and more on the rotation and catching competition

SARASOTA, Fla. - The next three Orioles starting pitchers have been confirmed, with left-hander Wei-Yin Chen taking the mound today against the Blue Jays in Sarasota, Chris Tillman going Thursday against the Tigers in Lakeland and Bud Norris getting the ball Friday against the Rays in Sarasota.

Manager Buck Showalter hasn't announced Saturday's starter against the Yankees in Tampa, but the assignment may go to a minor leaguer. The Orioles didn't play Monday, so no one will be working on regular rest. Kevin Gausman will be used in relief behind Tillman.

The Blue Jays are starting Aaron Sanchez today and are also bringing Steve Delabar and left-handers Aaron Loup and Jeff Francis. The Orioles really like Loup, if he ever becomes available.

Chen most recently threw five-plus innings in a Single-A game at Twin Lakes Park. He's allowed two runs and nine hits in 8 1/3 Grapefruit League innings, with one walk and five strikeouts.

Chen, Miguel Gonzalez and Brian Matusz have combined for one walk in 31 1/3 innings. Tillman has walked two in nine innings. Ubaldo Jimenez has walked one in his last 13 innings.

The catching competition is just as heated, and Ryan Lavarnway tried to make a statement yesterday in Bradenton by throwing out two Pirates runners attempting to steal within the first three innings and also contributing a walk and RBI grounder.

Lavarnway was 1-for-6 throwing out runners this spring and had committed one error. He's 5-for-21 at the plate, with two doubles, two RBIs and seven strikeouts.

Showalter is intrigued by Lavarnway's offensive stats in the minors - the .283/.375/.479 slash line over seven seasons and the 32 combined home runs at the two upper levels in 2011 - but he's also aware that the former sixth-round pick out of Yale University has thrown out only 16 percent of runners attempting to steal in the majors.

It's important to note that there's more to grading a catcher's defense than his arm. How does he receive the ball and handle a pitching staff? And the pitchers take some responsibility for a catcher's ability to shut down the running game. Jimenez was quicker to the plate yesterday, which aided Lavarnway.

Showalter indicated that J.P. Arencibia will catch three straight Triple-A games at Twin Lakes Park, an attempt to give him extra work without costing the others valuable innings. He's 0-for-3 attempting to throw out runners and has been charged with four passed balls. At the plate, he's 2-for-17 with seven strikeouts.

The stats don't show an error for Arencibia, but I recall him making a wild throw to first base after fielding a slow roller.

Steve Clevenger is listed as 2-for-11 throwing out runners. He pinch-hit for designated hitter Delmon Young yesterday and is 6-for-28 with two doubles and five RBIs.

I'm curious whether the Orioles will hold onto all of their catchers, and that obviously includes Caleb Joseph, with Matt Wieters headed to the disabled list.