masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOrioles left-hander T.J. McFarland has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk and will meet the team later today in Gwinnett.
The Orioles designated McFarland for assignment yesterday, but it wasn’t the typical DFA where a player is removed from the 40-man roster. One of the complicated transactions in baseball involving optionable waivers.
Chris Tillman’s throwing session on flat ground went well and he’s scheduled to do the same on Wednesday, according to manager Buck Showalter.
“That’s…

Orioles left-hander T.J. McFarland has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk and will meet the team later today in Gwinnett.

The Orioles designated McFarland for assignment yesterday, but it wasn’t the typical DFA where a player is removed from the 40-man roster. One of the complicated transactions in baseball involving optionable waivers.

Chris Tillman’s throwing session on flat ground went well and he’s scheduled to do the same on Wednesday, according to manager Buck Showalter.

“That’s encouraging,” Showalter said.

Tillman could move to a mound after Wednesday’s session. The Orioles are hoping that he can start again Sept. 9 or 10.

Adam Jones is available tonight, but Showalter would prefer not using him. Jones is on the bench again tonight while recovering from a strained left hamstring.

“There’s nobody tougher than Adam Jones,” Showalter said. “Sometimes, you’ve got to take that out of his hands.”

Jones was asked today whether he expected to play in this series.

“It’s an important series, obviously, but the game is the game,” he replied. “It’s not Sept. 30 when we’re up in their place, it’s Aug. 30, so just be smart and be honest with my body, which I don’t like to do anyway. But in this instance, I have to.”

Jones said it isn’t hard to take that approach.

“It’s reality,” he said. “I’m not going to blow out my hamstring with still 30-plus games to go. It’s not like we have three or four and we’re down two or three. We have 30 to go, so let’s be smart with this.”

Steve Pearce gray swing eyeblack.jpgSteve Pearce also is available tonight, with Showalter saying, ‘I could use him.” However, Showalter wants to make certain that Pearce is able to start Tuesday night against Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ.

Pearce came out of yesterday’s game in the eighth inning after feeling a twinge in his right forearm/elbow area.

Reliever Darren O’Day’s right shoulder is improving, but that’s really the extent of the update.

“He’s starting to make strides every day, which is good to see,” Showalter said.

Jonathan Schoop is batting leadoff for the first time in his career. Showalter also considered Nolan Reimold, but prefers keeping him at the bottom of the order.

Ryan Flaherty was another consideration and he’s been shagging fly balls in batting practice, but he would have needed to play center field tonight.

“It gives Jon more at-bats,” Showalter said.