Ubaldo Jimenez on his night in Aberdeen and that postgame spread

We don't know yet when Ubaldo Jimenez will return to the Orioles, but we do know his sprained right ankle passed a test in Aberdeen last night.

Pitching for the short-season Single-A IronBirds, Jimenez went 4 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and one unearned run with three walks and strikeouts against Tri-City.

Jimenez, who went on the disabled list July 13 (retroactive to July 8), was back in the Orioles clubhouse this afternoon.

"Feel good," he said. "I was able to get on the mound without thinking about my ankle. I was able to cover first base and third base, so I was able to do everything I was supposed to do. Got my pitch count up all the way to 70-something pitches. The main thing was to see how the ankle would respond.

"It feels good. No complaints. Don't feel anything. Every time you hurt a part of your body it's not going to be like it was before right away. But I feel good to pitch."

Now we await his next step. He could pitch for Triple-A Norfolk Sunday or Monday or be activated by the Orioles without another rehab start. It sounds like the club is leaning toward a Norfolk start.

Jimenez said he had been told yet what is next for him?

"I felt good but I'm going to be doing whatever they want me to do. Once I get here on the mound I want to be 100 percent for the team. It's up to them, whatever they want me to do."

The right-hander is 3-8 with a 4.52 ERA in 18 starts. His last O's start was July 5 against Boston, when he gave up four runs in 3 2/3 innings.

Jimenez admits there will be pressure on him whenever he returns with the O's rotation pitching so well.

"Definitely," he said. "You don't want to be the guy to mess it up for the other guys. I know the guys have been doing a really great job. Just want to be good for the team.

"I didn't have a consistent first half, so I want to be there for the team. Whenever they want me to be there, definitely I will do everything possible to help out."

Jimenez certainly made a good impression with the young kids on the Aberdeen roster when he provided a postgame spread that featured lobster and steak.

"I remember when I was in the minors in High-A, Low-A, some veteran guys came to rehab and they bought us a good spread," he said. "It felt really good. In the minors, you don't see that every day. I wanted to do it for these kids. I told the clubbie (clubhouse attendant) to get some steaks, lobster and potatoes. They were really happy after the game."