Wondering about Machado's status, Davis at third base and more

NEW YORK - If Manny Machado lands on the disabled list with a strained left wrist, and a decision is pending, the Orioles could give Rubén Tejada most of the starts and maybe select Paul Janish's contract again from Triple-A Norfolk after outrighting him earlier this week. Janish wouldn't have to stay down for the required 10 days because he'd be replacing an injured player.

Manager Buck Showalter needs a utility infielder on the active roster who isn't forced into a starting role. Janish and Luis Sardiñas would be two solid candidates.

They're not on the 40-man, but clearing room isn't an obstacle.

Johnny Giavotella has the bat. He was hitting .317/.384/.461 at Norfolk before last night, with 15 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 32 RBIs, and had reached base in 25 consecutive games with a .349 average. He posted a .424 average during his 14-game hitting streak.

However, Giavotella is strictly a second baseman, and his defensive issues in spring training almost cost him a spot with the Tides. I've heard that he's been better since heading north.

Anyway, Giavotella doesn't fit the mold of a utility infielder, and Ryan Flaherty was just cleared yesterday to begin throwing, so he's not close to being ready.

Chris Davis played third base Thursday night for the first time in three years, but only because the Orioles were in a National League ballpark and didn't have a designated hitter. He wouldn't be their go-to move.

So Chris, how did you feel out there?

"Let me ask you this: How did it look? Because it felt a little awkward," he replied.

"I think the biggest thing was maybe the bunt defenses and making sure I had all the signs right. The funny thing was that I knew the signs, but most of the plays we put on at first base, you really don't do a lot. And so I think the shift was a little awkward, too.

"J.J. (Hardy) was basically telling me where to go and moving me around like a Little Leaguer. So I'm like, 'Right here? Right here's good?' But that's to be expected when it's been however many years since I played there."

The shift does present its own unique set of challenges, with Davis shading over to the shortstop position while Hardy moves to the right side and Jonathan Schoop becomes an extra outfielder.

"I think it was like a modified shift," Davis said. "We didn't play the normal shift that we do when Schoopy's like a lot deeper in right field. You make due. You do the best you can. I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that no balls were really hit my way, but I did take a dive at one that was probably in the outfield by the time I got down on the ground, so I've got that going for me."

Davis stopped by Showalter's office before the lineup was posted. The idea wasn't just dropped on him out of the blue.

"He's basically like, 'This is basically what we're working with. How do you feel about this?' " Davis said. "My attitude has always been over the years really whatever I can do to give us a better chance to win, whether it's playing the outfield, playing third base. I think the older I get, the harder that becomes, but I understand what's going on with Manny and Jonesy (Adam Jones) and really the position we were in, it was really the best thing we could do."

Showalter also considered Mark Trumbo at third base against the Nationals before choosing Davis, who made his 86th major league start at the position.

Could No. 87 be around the corner if Machado goes on the DL?

"I don't know," Davis said. "We have Tejada, and I know that we have a few options. I think the fact that it was a National League game made things a lot harder because you know there are possible changes late in the game because of pinch-hitters or pitchers coming up. We'll see.

"I'm going to prepare myself for whatever and I'll go out there and play the game. That's all you can really do."

Machado remains day-to-day, with slight improvement reported yesterday. He's still having trouble closing his left hand.

The Orioles wanted to close their eyes as Andrew McCutchen's spikes dug into Machado's wrist and bent it back.

"I think with what happened earlier this year with the slide, kind of rolled up on his wrist and the diving play where he kind of rolled up on his wrist," Davis said. "Any time you see a hand or a wrist involved, you kind of hold your breath. He's a tough guy. Everybody has to be to play through aches and pains, nicks and cuts, and hopefully it'll be a day-to-day thing and not linger."

Chris Tillman will be searching for better results tonight than his last start against the Yankees at Camden Yards. He lasted only 2 2/3 innings on May 30 and allowed five runs and seven hits. Matt Holliday homered twice off Tillman after Brett Gardner's leadoff shot in the first inning.

Tillman is 8-7 with a 4.93 ERA in 20 career starts against the Yankees, with a 1.598 WHIP in 107 2/3 innings. He's 4-4 with a 6.34 ERA and 1.841 WHIP in nine starts in the Bronx over 44 innings.

Didi Gregorius is 9-for-18 with five doubles and a triple against Tillman. Chase Headley is 4-for-20 with seven strikeouts.

Luis Severino already has faced the Orioles twice this season and allowed a combined five runs and 15 hits 11 1/3 innings, with two walks and 14 strikeouts. He's registered a 2.90 ERA and 1.068 WHIP in 11 starts over 68 1/3 innings this season and is averaging 10 strikeouts per nine innings.

In his last four starts. Severino has allowed four runs and struck out 29 batters in 26 1/3 innings.

Severino is 2-1 with a 4.06 ERA and 1.161 WHIP in seven career games (five starts) against the Orioles in 31 innings.

Trumbo is 4-for-10 with a double and two home runs off Severino, and Machado is 4-for-14 with a double and three home runs. Trey Mancini is 3-for-3.

Davis is 2-for-13 with seven strikeouts.

The Orioles are 1-13 in their last 14 series openers at Yankee Stadium since the beginning of 2013.

Six of Schoop's last eight hits and 12 of 19 have gone for extra bases - six doubles and six home runs.

Schoop is 8-for-20 with three doubles, three home runs, six RBIs, one walk and four runs scored in his last five games.

Jones is batting .400 (14-for-35) with a double, home run, seven RBIs and two walks during an eight-game hitting streak against the Yankees.