Updating Davis, the rotation and Santander (O's lead 11-5)

MINNEAPOLIS - Chris Davis took batting practice again this morning and he remains scheduled to begin a short injury rehab assignment Monday afternoon at Single-A Frederick.

Davis will get three or four at-bats with the Keys in his first game since going on the disabled list retroactive to June 13 with a strained right oblique.

"It went fine," said manager Buck Showalter. "Ready to go tomorrow at Frederick. He's had his All-Star break."

Showalter said Davis just needs to get "back in the game flow" during the assignment, which could include a game Wednesday night at Single-A Delmarva.

"Playing defense, just the game itself, playing the game. Ups, innings," Showalter said.

Showalter asked reporters where Davis should hit Monday. The likely answer is second or third.

As for the post-break rotation, Showalter indicated that Kevin Gausman would start Friday night against the Cubs at Camden Yards, followed by left-hander Wade Miley on Saturday.

No starter was mentioned for next Sunday, but Showalter seems to be leaning toward holding out Chris Tillman until July 17 against the Rangers at Camden Yards. Dylan Bundy is assured of pitching on July 18 as the fifth starter, giving him extended rest.

"We want Tillman to get the benefit of two work days," Showalter said. "Let him throw a couple times. He's had so much off time. So Chris will probably be fourth."

Everything is tentative until the Orioles get through today's game and a work day on Thursday at Camden Yards.

"We've got a pretty good idea," Showalter said.

"We'll see how things go today. See if there's anything that ... You don't want to get too far ahead of it and then have to change a bunch of stuff."

Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander is throwing from 90 feet down in Sarasota and also hitting soft tosses. He's been on the disabled list the entire season with a strained right forearm.

Santander won't be able to stay on the active roster for 90 days to remove his Rule 5 status for next season. The Orioles are hoping that he can still play later this summer.

"I've got a feeling what's going to happen if he can get healthy, so there will be some benefit this year," Showalter said. "He's got a chance to be a good one if we can get him healthy. At the very worst, I'm hoping he can join us in September, but I'm holding hope that he might join us before that."

There's apparently a scenario where a full September in the majors could be attached to the first 60 days the following season and remove the Rule 5 status.

Catcher Jason Castro has been scratched. Here's the new Twins lineup:

Brian Dozier 2B
Robbie Grossman DH
Max Kepler RF
Miguel Sanó 3B
Kennys Vargas 1B
Eddie Rosario LF
Jorge Polanco SS
Chris Gimenez C
Zack Granite CF

Kyle Gibson RHP

Update: Adam Jones hit a 444-foot, three-run homer into the second deck above the bullpens in left-center field to stake the Orioles to a quick 3-0 lead.

Seth Smith led off with a walk and Jonathan Schoop singled with one out.

Jones has 768 RBIs with the Orioles to pass Ken Singleton for fifth on the club's all-time list.

Update II: Caleb Joseph had an RBI double in the second inning and he scored on Smith's single for a 5-0 lead, but the Twins scored four times in the bottom half.

Ubaldo Jiménez hit a batter and walked three, including Brian Dozier with the bases loaded. Robbie Grossman followed with a two-run single and Max Kepler had an RBI double.

Update III: Jones led off the fifth inning with another home run off Kyle Gibson and the Orioles scored four times to take a 9-4 lead.

Joseph had a two-run single off reliever Tyler Duffey and he scored on Rubén Tejada's double.

Jiménez has retired seven in a row.

Update IV: Machado had an RBI single in the eighth and Jones lifted a sacrifice fly for his fifth RBI. The Twins scored an unearned run off Richard Bleier in the bottom half to cut the lead to 11-5.

Bleier threw 34 pitches, 29 for strikes, in 2 2/3 innings. Tejada's fielding error led to the unearned run.