Ubaldo Jimenez trying to be "the best I can for the team"

WASHINGTON - Chris Tillman, on the disabled list with right shoulder bursitis, remains optimistic that he can return to the active roster when eligible on Sept. 5. However, he's taking it a day at a time and resisting the urge to push it.

With Tillman unable to pitch, the Orioles are turning again to Ubaldo Jimenez, whose last three appearances have been in relief.

We're not counting the Aug. 17 game against the Red Sox at Camden Yards, when he was ready to take the mound before the storm arrived and ended play after six innings.

"It's never a good feeling when you have to take the spot when someone gets hurt, especially Tilly, the way he was pitching," Jimenez said. "We really need him to be out there, but it's part of the game. Whatever adversity you have to face, you have to go through. I think that's something I'm going to be doing tomorrow, try to be the best I can for the team."

Jimenez made his last appearance Friday night against the Astros, allowing three runs and walking four batters in three innings. He hasn't started since the July 28 makeup game in Minnesota, when he allowed one run and struck out eight batters in five innings.

At least Jimenez has gotten a little more work heading into Thursday's start. He hadn't pitched since July 8 before facing the Twins.

"I don't think it's going to be as bad as my last start when I had to pitch with (19) days," he said. "I've been in a couple games before tomorrow, so I don't think it's going to be that bad. I've been working on stuff, I've been able to get on the mound and get my innings."

Manager Buck Showalter most likely has considered Jimenez's past success against the Nats. The veteran right-hander is 6-1 with a 2.32 ERA in eight career starts and 4-0 with a 0.92 ERA in four starts in D.C., with three earned runs (four total) in 29 1/3 innings.

"You never put a lot of thought on that," Jimenez said. "I just want to go out there and compete and give the team a chance to win. It doesn't matter where it is."

What's important is making a contribution while Tillman is out and the Orioles are fighting to get back into first place. Jimenez is 5-10 with a 6.94 ERA in 22 games. This may be a fleeting opportunity in the rotation. He wants to make the most of it.

"I'm looking forward to doing that," he said. "I know things haven't been the way that I wanted them to be, but that's baseball, that's life. You have to continue fighting. It doesn't matter what. I'm looking forward to doing that.

"Hopefully, I'll be there for the team in the last month because they really need it, especially now that Tilly is out."