Ubaldo Jimenez doesn't make it out of the first inning (updated)

BRADENTON, Fla. - Nothing that happened tonight in Bradenton is going to ease the concerns attached to the Orioles rotation.

Ubaldo Jimenez lasted only two-thirds of an inning and was removed after throwing 36 pitches, including 21 for strikes. He headed to the bullpen for more work, so the quick hook must not have been related to his health.

Perhaps manager Buck Showalter had seen enough from Jimenez, who allowed three runs and four hits and also walked a batter. Maybe 36 pitches in one inning in spring training, no matter the late date, were moving Jimenez into the physical danger zone.

John Jaso drew a leadoff walk and Andrew McCutchen grounded a single into left field. Jimenez retired the next two batters, but Josh Harrison blooped a two-run triple into left field to tie the score.

Harrison should have been held to a double, but no one covered third base and he kept motoring.

Jake Goebbert followed with an RBI single, Jordy Mercer singled and Showalter came out of the dugout.

Richard Rodriguez, who made the trip from Twin Lakes Park, retired Cole Figueroa on a pop up to end the inning, and he tossed a scoreless second.

Jimenez lasted only one-third of an inning in his debut against the Braves, but he held the Twins to one run in 6 1/3 innings over two starts. He allowed one run over 10 2/3 innings in two minor league games, making him the most effective projected starter in camp.

Jimenez is lined up to start the third game of the season against the Twins, following Chris Tillman and Yovani Gallardo.

The Orioles took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on back-to-back home runs by Pedro Alvarez and Nolan Reimold off Pirates non-roster right-hander Trevor Williams. Alvarez, the former Pirate, received a nice round of applause when he stepped to the plate and again when he rounded the bases.

Reimold has hits in five straight at-bats over the last three games, including two home runs and four RBIs.

Garabez Rosa, who replaced Ryan Flaherty in the lineup, singled in the second inning and is 7-for-9 in Grapefruit League games.

Update: Reimold reached on an infield single in the fourth inning, running his hit streak to six consecutive at-bats. Brad Brach retired the Pirates in order in the bottom half.

Jimenez continues to throw in the bullpen, sitting down for brief periods and getting back up to simulate a start.