BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter knows who's supposed to start Game 2 of today's doubleheader. However, he won't reveal the name until he's certain that the pitcher won't be needed out of the bullpen for the opener.
Ryan Meisinger gets his first major league start in Game 1.
"He was going to pitch anyway," Showalter said. "They're all probably going to pitch today, so what order ... There's a lot of other things that I'm not going to talk about and the reflection it might have on somebody. But with the experience level of some of the guys who are going to have to pitch today, we're trying to create the best environment for them to pitch in.
"I've made Alex (Cora) aware of what's going on so he can make out his lineups accordingly, but there are some things up in the air. See how we get through the first game. But Ryan's going to pitch anyway, and without getting into the names that are going to pitch today, I think some guys are better served finding out when the phone rings."
Jimmy Yacabonis is expected to work out of the bullpen today. Left-hander Sean Gilmartin isn't available after tossing four scoreless innings Monday night.
"We're going to try to figure out a way to get through this game and have a long guy for tomorrow like we always do, so that's going to be a challenge, too," Showalter said.
"Everybody with the exception of maybe three are available and probably will pitch today," Showalter said. "We'll move it around and make sure we try to keep everybody healthy. Not overextend anybody."
Showalter said Meisinger didn't have much of a reaction to the news that he'd start today.
"Just like, 'Hey, you're going to pitch the sixth inning,'" Showalter said. "He's pitching pretty well, doesn't seem to be a guy who ... Somebody right-handed was going to start today, so try to gain a little experience."
Rookie David Hess will start Thursday night's series opener against the Astros at Camden Yards. Yefry RamÃrez will pitch Friday, as long as the cut doesn't reopen on his thumb. Dylan Bundy will start Saturday, but Sunday remains TBD.
The Astros are listing Gerrit Cole, Justin Verlander, TBD and TBD.
Catcher Chance Sisco didn't make the trip and Showalter said doctors think the rookie has the "back end of the concussion symptoms."
"We're hoping that completely clears up and he passes the test," Showalter added. "I think they're getting close to being able to retest him. I'd like for him to end up being active. It would be a good way to go home. That's what we're hoping."
Update: Meisinger faced six batters, retired only one and was charged with five runs. Donnie Hart let three inherited score on Rafael Devers' double.
Trey Mancini homered in the second to reduce the lead to 5-1.
Renato Núñez's two-run shot later in the inning made it 5-3.
Update II: J.D. Martinez's three-run homer off John Means in the fourth expanded the lead to 8-3.
Update III: Means has allowed two runs in the fifth on Ian Kinsler's RBI double and Devers' single.
Update IV: Xander Bogaerts hit his career-high 22nd home run in the sixth, a two-run shot off Cody Carroll to give Boston a 12-3 lead.
Update V: Devers and Blake Swihart with home runs to open the seventh and the Red Sox lead 14-3.
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