masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgWill pitcher Miguel Gonzalez become the latest Oriole today to visit the disabled list?
The move is coming. It’s just a matter of when, not if, to borrow one of manager Buck Showalter’s favorite expressions.
I’m still expecting it to happen this afternoon. There’s no reason to put it off any longer.
Gonzalez is bothered by a strained right groin, the same injury that caused him to miss a start in 2012. The Orioles don’t have the benefit of an off-day, however, and the DL is inevitable.
If…

Will pitcher Miguel Gonzalez become the latest Oriole today to visit the disabled list?

The move is coming. It’s just a matter of when, not if, to borrow one of manager Buck Showalter’s favorite expressions.

I’m still expecting it to happen this afternoon. There’s no reason to put it off any longer.

Gonzalez-Bancells-Depart-Injury.jpgGonzalez is bothered by a strained right groin, the same injury that caused him to miss a start in 2012. The Orioles don’t have the benefit of an off-day, however, and the DL is inevitable.

If you’re searching for a silver lining, the Orioles can get back to a seven-man bullpen while left-hander Brian Matusz serves the last three games of his suspension. It’s just a question of how they go about doing it.

The Orioles have used the disabled list 12 times this season involving 11 players. Ryan Flaherty has made two stops with … wait for it … a strained right groin.

The season started with J.J. Hardy, Matt Wieters, David Lough and Jimmy Paredes on the disabled list. They were followed by Wesley Wright, Jonathan Schoop, Flaherty, Everth Cabrera, Kevin Gausman, Flaherty, Jason Garcia and Bud Norris.

Let’s play a game. Match the player with his injury. You’ll notice that there are 10 different ailments, with right shoulder being the only repeat.

(Answers below)

1. Hardy………A. Lower back
2. Wieters……B. Groin
3. Lough……..C. Right shoulder
4. Paredes…. D. Bronchitis
5. Wright……..E. Left hamstring
6. Schoop……F. Left shoulder
7. Flaherty…..G. Right shoulder
8. Cabrera…..H. Right elbow
9. Gausman…I. Left trapezius
10. Garcia……J. Left foot
11. Norris…….K. Right knee

As for tonight’s game, the Orioles will attempt to get within one game of .500 for the first time since May 29. They’ve won five of their last six games. The season, contrary to some reports and overreactions, isn’t over.

Chris Tillman continues to search for consistency, having allowed the following number of earned runs over 11 starts: one, seven, one, seven, two, four, five, one (in three innings), two, five (six total) and two.

Tillman is averaging 4.7 walks per nine innings, compared to 2.9 in 2014, 3.0 in 2013 and 2.5 in 2012. His seven losses were tied last night with Corey Kluber, CC Sabathia and Anibel Sanchez for most in the American League. His 31 walks were second to Aaron Sanchez.

Tillman held the Red Sox to one run over 5 1/3 innings in a 4-1 victory on April 18. He’s 8-3 with a 2.63 ERA in 17 career starts against them.

Brock Holt is 5-for-8 against Tillman. Xander Bogaerts is 2-for-15 with a home run.

The Orioles are 6-5 against left-handers this season and they get Wade Miley tonight. Miley has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. He faced the Orioles on April 26 and allowed six earned runs (seven total) and five hits in 2 1/3 innings in an 18-7 loss at Camden Yards.

In two career starts against the Orioles, Miley has allowed 10 earned runs (11 total) and 12 hits in 9 1/3 innings. They’ve come in like a wrecking ball.

Matt Wieters, who will catch tonight, is 1-for-2 with a home run against Miley.

The Orioles’ lineup in the April 26 game included Cabrera, Ryan Lavarnway and Rey Navarro. Norris picked up his first win and Garcia allowed four runs (three earned) and walked three in 2 1/3 innings. Hanley Ramirez homered twice off him.

OK, how many did you get right?

1. F
2. H
3. E
4. A
5. I
6. K
7. B
8. J
9. C or G
10. C or G
11. D