masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles will officially recall left-hander T.J. McFarland after batting practice today and announce their corresponding 25-man roster move.

It’s important to note that the Orioles could send out a pitcher and bring him back on Sunday while first baseman Chris Davis spends two days on paternity leave. The reliever wouldn’t be required to spend the minimum 10 days in the minors.

Also, under Major League Baseball rules, that player is allowed to stay with the club after Davis…The Orioles will officially recall left-hander T.J. McFarland after batting practice today and announce their corresponding 25-man roster move.

It’s important to note that the Orioles could send out a pitcher and bring him back on Sunday while first baseman Chris Davis spends two days on paternity leave. The reliever wouldn’t be required to spend the minimum 10 days in the minors.

Also, under Major League Baseball rules, that player is allowed to stay with the club after Davis returns.

Nice loophole for the Orioles.

(It’s also strange that a player must take the full three days of bereavement leave, but may return from paternity leave in one or two days, but I digress…)

Third baseman Manny Machado is expected to avoid the disabled list after leaving last night’s game in the 11th inning with tightness in his right groin.

“I definitely do feel better today,” Machado said. “Just taking a day off, letting it rest, letting it get better. But I definitely do feel better.”

Machado is cautiously optimistic that he will return to the lineup on Saturday.

“I can’t give you an official answer, but we’ll see. We’ll know more tomorrow,” he said. “Today, we’re just going to keep treating it and hopefully it gets better tomorrow and hopefully I can be there. But right now we’re just taking it day by day and we’ll see how it feels.”

Machado never mentioned the discomfort during last night’s game, but manager Buck Showalter didn’t like his body language and most likely prevented the injury from getting worse.

“At this point, we’re not trying to go back out there and aggravate it and just make it worse,” Machado said. “Hopefully, the next couple days it can get better and I can be back out there.”

Machado figured to take some swings in the indoor cage, but avoid any activity on the field.

“Just taking it light, taking it easy, an easy day,” he said. “Just a couple swings and get ready for the game in case I need to get out there for a couple of innings.”

Hitting and fielding don’t bring any discomfort. The true test is running the bases.

“Running is the biggest thing. That’s about it,” Machado said. “Just a matter of that first step, which is what bothers me the most. But hopefully it doesn’t bother me anymore.”