masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles’ expanded roster is being stretched thin.

Manager Buck Showalter has five players who are unavailable for health reasons, including Michael Morse, who’s been shut down with lingering soreness in his left wrist.

Morse didn’t inform the club of his injury until three or four days ago, according to Showalter.

Morse, who’s still with the team, will to be examined by hand specialist Dr. Brian Schofield in Sarasota. He also will go to the Mayo Clinic for a second opinion and decide…The Orioles’ expanded roster is being stretched thin.

Manager Buck Showalter has five players who are unavailable for health reasons, including Michael Morse, who’s been shut down with lingering soreness in his left wrist.

Morse didn’t inform the club of his injury until three or four days ago, according to Showalter.

Morse, who’s still with the team, will to be examined by hand specialist Dr. Brian Schofield in Sarasota. He also will go to the Mayo Clinic for a second opinion and decide whether surgery is required.

The Orioles have used Jason Pridie, a left-handed hitter, in the outfield against the last two left-handed starters because of Morse’s injury.

Morse, acquired from the Mariners on Aug. 31 for outfielder Xavier Avery, went 3-for-29 with no extra-base hits with the Orioles. He’s a pending free agent, and not expected to return in 2014.

Also, infielder Jonathan Schoop won’t play tonight because of soreness in his back. He may have tweaked it during a rundown last night.

Team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens will examine Schoop, who was limited to 81 minor league games this year because of a stress fracture in his lower back.

Third baseman Manny Machado has an appointment scheduled for Monday with Dr. James Andrews in Gulf Breeze, Fla. Machado is seeking a second opinion on his left knee. He’s been diagnosed with tear of the medial patellofemoral ligament, and the club believes he can rehab the injury and avoid surgery.

Alexi Casilla and Chris Dickerson also won’t play in the last two games, reducing Showalter’s bench options tonight to Ryan Flaherty, Nate McLouth, Dan Johnson, Steve Clevenger and Chris Snyder.

Showalter is still leaning toward starting Chris Tillman in Sunday’s season finale. Tillman wants to pitch.