Today's game and Parmelee note

Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, questionable earlier this week to make his next start, will be on the mound today against the Rays.

Chen made it through Thursday's side session, watched closely by pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti. I heard earlier this week that Chen complained of some soreness in his side. As manager Buck Showalter stressed, it had nothing to do with his arm or shoulder.

Chen went on the disabled list in May 2013 with a strained right oblique. The Orioles were going to be careful with him, but he appears to be fine.

In nine starts this season, Chen has gone 1-3 with a 3.13 ERA in 54 2/3 innings and allowed three earned runs or fewer in eight of his outings. However, he lasted only five innings Monday against the Astros and surrendered a season-high 11 hits - one short of his career high.

Chen has made two starts against the Rays this season, allowing five runs and 11 hits over 10 2/3 innings. He's 3-4 with a 3.39 ERA in 15 career starts against them.

Logan Forsythe is 6-for-17 with a double and two home runs against Chen. Kevin Kiermaier is 4-for-9 with a triple and home run. Evan Longoria is 8-for-26 with three doubles.

The Orioles will face right-hander Erasimo Ramirez, who's 2-2 with a 6.62 ERA in 12 games (five starts) this season. He tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings against the Orioles on May 3.

Ramirez has reverse splits. Right-handers are batting .306 against him and left-handers are hitting .176.

Ramirez is 1-0 with a 3.52 ERA in three career games (two starts) against the Orioles, with no walks and 13 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings.

The Orioles are 3-for-34 against Ramirez. Manny Machado is 1-for-6 with a home run and Adam Jones is 1-for-6 with a double. Ryan Flaherty is 1-for-3.

A reminder that all fans attending today's game will receive a "Rock the Yard" t-shirt designed by closer Zach Britton.

Down on the farm, Triple-A Norfolk's Chris Parmelee has extended the opt-out date in his contract. He's staying in the organization, according to executive vice president Dan Duquette, who addressed the subject last night on 105.7 The Fan.

Parmelee began last night batting .324/.394/.439 with 11 doubles, three home runs and 26 RBIs in 46 games.

"Chris Parmelee is going to stay with us," Duquette said. "He's having a good year, he likes the organization and we keep looking for an opportunity for him to come up and help the big league club. I'm sure we'll find one here pretty soon. But he's having a good year at Triple-A.

"He has real solid on-base capabilities. He's playing good in the outfield, good at first base, and he's doing a good job for them. And he's going to stay with us."