masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles will announce their corresponding roster move for shortstop J.J. Hardy closer to first pitch. The team currently is taking batting practice.
An extra reliever wasn’t needed today.
Mike Wright will make his next start Wednesday for Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles want to keep him on turn and they want him to stay in the rotation.
“He can’t think that level is beneath him, and he doesn’t,” said manager Buck Showalter. “He has a grip on the reality of what’s going on.”
The…

The Orioles will announce their corresponding roster move for shortstop J.J. Hardy closer to first pitch. The team currently is taking batting practice.

An extra reliever wasn’t needed today.

Mike Wright will make his next start Wednesday for Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles want to keep him on turn and they want him to stay in the rotation.

“He can’t think that level is beneath him, and he doesn’t,” said manager Buck Showalter. “He has a grip on the reality of what’s going on.”

The Orioles need a starter for Wednesday against the Padres. Showalter included Odrisamer Despaigne, Ubaldo Jimenez and T.J. McFarland among the candidates.

Despaigne is a former Padre, which could influence the decision in either direction. Would the Orioles rather send Despaigne to the mound against a team that isn’t familiar with him, putting them in ambush mode?

Wright could return to the club for the June 25 doubleheader against the Rays if his pitch count Wednesday night allows him to work on short rest. It’s not expected to happen, but it’s in play.

Manny Machado rounds bases white.jpgShowalter said he’s talked to Manny Machado about the infielder’s failure to run out a few balls.

“It’s something you can’t do or it will catch up to you,” Showalter said.

While trying not to make excuses, Showalter said the swings from certain players can make them slow out of the box.

“I see the same thing people see,” Showalter said. “Believe me, it’s been addressed. He’s better than that.”

The Orioles anticipate a decision soon regarding whether Machado drops his appeal and begins serving a four-game suspension for charging the mound on June 7 and throwing a punch at Royals starter Yordano Ventura that ignited a brawl.

The club is leaving the decision to Machado while also calculating the most convenient stretch in the schedule to lose him and play shorthanded. The Orioles also must decide whether they can compete with one fewer infielder on their bench.

“We’re going to be short regardless,” Showalter said. “Pick your poison.”

There’s a sense in the organization that an appeal wouldn’t lead to a reduction in games.

Caleb Joseph will serve as designated hitter again today for Single-A Frederick. He figures to work out at Camden Yards on Monday while the Orioles are in Texas for a one-game road trip.

Showalter said reliever Darren O’Day has had two good days in a row in his recovery from a strained right hamstring. The situation is much more encouraging since the team returned home.

The pitchers went through their fielding drills this morning.

The staff has accounted for 10 errors this season and Showalter said, “They’re better than that.”