Yovani Gallardo impressive in final rehab start

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

June 13, 2016, 4:47pm

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Yovani Gallardo's next stop should be in Baltimore.

Gallardo made his third and final injury rehab start tonight, allowing only a leadoff home run over five innings with Triple-A Norfolk. He held Charlotte to one hit, walked two and struck out five.

Carlos Sanchez homered on the seventh pitch from Gallardo after falling behind 0-2 on called strikes, according to the MiLB.com boxscore.

Gallardo was removed after 90 pitches, including 52 strikes. Left-hander Zach Phillips replaced him with the game tied 1-1.

Manager Buck Showalter told reporters that Gallardo could make his next start Saturday afternoon against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Nothing that happened tonight should alter those plans.

Gallardo has been on the disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis. He's 1-1 with a 7.00 ERA in four starts with the Orioles, the last coming on April 22 in Kansas City, when he allowed four runs and five hits in two innings.

Gallardo saved his best for last on his rehab assignment. He allowed three runs and seven hits and walked two batters in three innings at Single-A Frederick, and three runs and four hits with two walks in five innings in his previous start with Norfolk.

Starting for the Orioles on Saturday would allow Gallardo to work on normal rest. They're off tonight and Showalter can more easily adjust his rotation.

The question is who comes out of the rotation. Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson have options. Ubaldo Jimenez has major issues, lasting only one-third of an inning yesterday in the shortest outing of his career.