Dan Connolly

Pearce in lineup, Kim out (and other O’s notes)

By Dan Connolly

Posted on September 4, 2016

Orioles manager Buck Showalter is putting out a pretty representative lineup Sunday afternoon against the New Yankees as his club tries to go for a sweep.

Oftentimes, especially with expanded rosters, Sunday is Showalter’s day to give a few regulars some rest. But, with a day game at Tampa on Monday, that game may end up featuring the “Sunday” lineup.

The only noticeable omission in Sunday’s lineup against right-hander Michael Pineda is right-handed-hitting Steve Pearce in left field instead of lefty Hyun Soo Kim.

Pearce is 5-for-12 (.417 average) against Pineda and Showalter said he wanted to get Pearce consecutive days in the starting lineup. The Orioles face two straight right-handers in Tampa – Matt Andriese and Jake Odorizzi – and so Kim likely will start those.

Kim is still leading Orioles’ regulars with a .310 average, but he’s slipped a little recently, batting .235 in his last 10 games.

O’Day and Tillman throwing today

Injured pitchers Darren O’Day and Chris Tillman both threw before Sunday’s game and are progressing toward a return.

If all goes well with Tillman’s bullpen, and if he has no shoulder discomfort Monday morning, he’ll continue to work toward returning next Sunday at Detroit.

O’Day (shoulder) will also travel with the Orioles on the road trip and may do some work at the club’s minor league facility in Sarasota while the Orioles are in Tampa, Showalter said.

Duensing’s activation and 40-man roster move looming

Showalter said he expects lefty reliever Brian Duensing (elbow) to be activated from the 60-day DL on Monday. He is flying with the team to Florida on Sunday night. The Orioles will have to make a subsequent, 40-man roster move to make room for Duensing. No word as to what that might be, but there are several players – such as Odrisamer Despaigne and Christian Walker – who have not yet received a September call-up.

Some players heading to “Sarasota camp”

For the last few years, the Orioles have sent players to Sarasota after the minor league season ends and before instructional league begins to keep them fresh in case they are needed as reinforcements for the big league club.

The thought is that they want to keep players fresh instead of calling them at home after they haven’t participated in baseball activities for two weeks. The camp starts Sept. 9 and Showalter said participants may include Audry Perez, Chance Sisco, Paul Janish, Trey Mancini, Dariel Alvarez, Walker, Chris Dickerson, Julio Borbon, Kyle Lobstein, Parker Bridwell and T.J. McFarland, among others.

One or more of those that are on the 40-man could be removed from the roster, however, before the camp begins.