masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgNot much news to report this afternoon from Camden Yards.

Adam Jones is serving as the designated hitter, just as Nick Markakis did last night. It’s a chance to “rest” the regulars.

Jones had an ice pack wrapped on his left knee today. A night removed from center field may be beneficial.

“He gets a lot of things treated,” said manager Buck Showalter.

Jones is 5-for-11 with a home run in three games as the DH this season.

“I didn’t ask him,” Showalter said. “If I ask him, I know…Not much news to report this afternoon from Camden Yards.

Adam Jones is serving as the designated hitter, just as Nick Markakis did last night. It’s a chance to “rest” the regulars.

Jones had an ice pack wrapped on his left knee today. A night removed from center field may be beneficial.

“He gets a lot of things treated,” said manager Buck Showalter.

Jones is 5-for-11 with a home run in three games as the DH this season.

jones-pointing-up-white-sidebar.jpg“I didn’t ask him,” Showalter said. “If I ask him, I know what’s going to happen, so I stay away from him. I think it would benefit him. Trying to move it around a little bit. Because of the call-ups, we can cover it a lot easier.”

Including tonight, Nelson Cruz has been the DH in 69 games and played the outfield in 67. That’s how Showalter has kept him healthy and in the lineup.

I mentioned this morning that Kelly Johnson is 3-for-8 with two home runs against Reds starter Dylan Axelrod. Johnson is making his first start tonight for the Orioles, replacing Jimmy Paredes at third base.

“Just trying to keep everybody in the flow,” Showalter said.

Showalter pointed out that the Orioles called up one fewer player for the expanded roster than the past two seasons.

One member of the media asked Showalter when he might start managing for October, his moves dictated by the upcoming playoffs. For example, resting more guys or removing starters earlier than normal.

As expected, Showalter shot down any notion that he’s already focused on the postseason.

“Not now,” Showalter said. “I don’t want to talk about that. Not now. We’re not there. Not even in your mindset now. Trying to figure out how to be a run better than Axelrod and the Reds tonight. Trying to do match-ups last night and do certain things and figure out if some guys are here or not here.

“Not now. Whenever it is, it’s not tonight and it won’t be tomorrow night and it won’t be the next night. And it won’t be the next day, either. I can tell you what, for the next nine days, it’s not a thought.”

The magic number is 17, in case you’re trying to work the math.

Here are the starters for the series against the Rays at Tropicana Field:

Friday – Wei-Yin Chen vs. Alex Cobb
Saturday – Kevin Gausman vs. Drew Smyly
Sunday – Bud Norris vs. Jeremy Hellickson