Today's game and latest injury concerns

As the Manny Machado trade rumors swirled at the Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., the White Sox were deemed as a potential partner based on the Orioles interest in some of their young pitching. In fact, the club was tabbed by multiple outlets as the frontrunner over the final days.

Never mind that the White Sox were more inclined to keep right-handers Lucas Giolito and Michael Kopech. The sides met and proposals were discussed. And "frontrunner" status was bestowed upon the Southsiders.

Giolito starts this afternoon's series finale against the Orioles at Guaranteed Rate Field. Kopech, pitching for Triple-A Charlotte, started last night against Norfolk and allowed two earned runs, walked four batters and struck out eight over five innings to leave his ERA at 3.97.

Meanwhile, Machado has moved from third base to shortstop and remains in the lineup and the organization. I've heard that there's nothing remotely close to happening with Machado that would put him in a different uniform.

Everything can change with one phone call, of course. But that's the current read on the situation.

Giolito, the 16th overall pick by the Nationals in the 2012 amateur draft before they included him in the Adam Eaton deal, is 3-4 with a 6.42 ERA and 1.573 WHIP in nine starts, and his 34 walks led the American League heading into last night. His nine hit batters were tied with the Cardinals' Carlos Martinez for most in the majors.

Dig in at your own risk.

Giolito registered his fourth quality start in his most recent outing with two earned runs (three total) over six innings against the Rangers. He hasn't served up a home run in his last three starts and only four all season in 47 2/3 innings.

In an odd split, Giolito has registered a 10.19 ERA and 1.925 WHIP in four home starts and a 4.20 ERA and 1.367 WHIP in five road games. He's allowed eight runs in the first inning and 10 in the second.

A team that's been outscored 60-19 in the first inning would like to actually jump someone early as opposed to being the victims.

The Orioles haven't faced Giolito in his three partial seasons in the majors, where he's made 20 starts among 22 appearances. Jace Peterson brings the only experience against him, failing to get a hit in two at-bats.

Dylan Bundy is 3-0 with a 4.26 ERA and 1.263 WHIP in four career games (three starts) against the White Sox. He's allowed nine earned runs (10 total) and 19 hits in 19 innings.

Jose Abreu is 6-for-9 with a double and home run against Bundy. Avisail Garcia is 4-for-7.

The news keeps getting worse for the Orioles. They lost again last night and can do no better than split the four-game series against a rebuilding team that had the worst record in baseball. Mark Trumbo was out of the lineup with swelling in his right knee after collecting four hits the previous night and batting .309 since coming off the disabled list. Reliever Darren O'Day didn't throw his bullpen session yesterday and manager Buck Showalter expressed concern to the media in Chicago.

More tests could be arranged for O'Day while the club is in St. Petersburg, Fla. It's no longer possible to downplay the hyperextended right elbow.

As if the bullpen wasn't already an issue with Mychal Givens and Richard Bleier handling heavier workloads and Showalter having to carefully pick his spots with Mike Wright Jr., Tanner Scott and Rule 5 pick Pedro Araujo.

O'Day was expected to be back shortly after the 10-day DL period, but that ship sailed a while ago and the 'pen is taking on water.

Closer Zach Britton won't start his rehab assignment until May 30, keeping an early June return in play. But what can the Orioles do in the meantime while their starters fail to routinely work into the later innings?