masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgNelson Cruz’s 15 home runs and 43 RBIs in the first 45 games are the highest totals of his major league career.

The Orioles have hit 17 go-ahead home runs this season. Cruz leads the club with seven.

Nick Markakis is batting .444 (20-for-45) with four runs scored in the first inning.

So, about that pending roster move today…

“Couple other irons in the fire, so to speak, that will change some things in the next probably 12 hours,” said manager Buck Showalter. “We’re trying to keep…Nelson Cruz’s 15 home runs and 43 RBIs in the first 45 games are the highest totals of his major league career.

The Orioles have hit 17 go-ahead home runs this season. Cruz leads the club with seven.

Nick Markakis is batting .444 (20-for-45) with four runs scored in the first inning.

So, about that pending roster move today…

“Couple other irons in the fire, so to speak, that will change some things in the next probably 12 hours,” said manager Buck Showalter. “We’re trying to keep all the parts in play. Stay tuned. We’ve got a couple other things going on.”

Before the day is over?

“It could not happen,” Showalter said, “but the potential is there.”

Later, he added, “I feel comfortable shortening that period to maybe an hour and a half. We’ll see. We’re just waiting for a lot of things to fall into place.”

Third baseman Manny Machado could be available off the bench today, but he’s more likely to get another full day of rest.

“Manny is better,” Showalter said. “Potentially available today. He’s going to move around a little bit between now and game time and see where we are with it. I feel good that we may have caught this in its infancy, so to speak. That he’ll be, hopefully, a good full-go player here shortly.”

Reliever Tommy Hunter, on the disabled list with a strained left groin, won’t accompany the Orioles on their road trip next week.

“He’s going to stay here,” Showalter said. “Hopefully, he’ll be throwing sometime during the trip, and that could come together quickly. I’m a little cautious because of his history with this injury. He’s had some extended stints with this. It’s only kind of kicked up once before this past time since he came here, but it was a challenge for him a couple times in Texas.”

Hunter may need to pitch in a few rehab games before the Orioles activate him.

“I’d say that’s potentially something we’d like to do, with the schedule, with Bowie and Frederick and Delmarva close by,” Showalter said. “I think once we get to the point where we think he’s ready to do that, then we’d look at a schedule. Probably go out and pitch a time or two. That’s part of why we want him to stay back, too. We’re going to leave our third trainer back here with him. It’s a luxury that ownership allowed us to add this year, a third trainer.”

Is this a sign that Hunter will be ready when his 15 days are up?

“I wouldn’t go that far yet,” Showalter said. “Let’s see how the next few days manage. I think I’ll have a better idea of where we are Monday or Tuesday, see if there’s some progress.”