masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgJoel Pineiro threw a five-inning simulated game today at the minor league complex and is headed to Triple-A Norfolk.

Pineiro will be available to start for the Tides in five days, so a roster move is pending. The Orioles have a little more time to figure out how to make room for him.

I told you earlier that Jim Johnson could be released from the hospital tomorrow morning. Here’s a comment from manager Buck Showalter. The last line amuses me.

“Talked to Jimmy today,” Showalter said. “Not…Joel Pineiro threw a five-inning simulated game today at the minor league complex and is headed to Triple-A Norfolk.

Pineiro will be available to start for the Tides in five days, so a roster move is pending. The Orioles have a little more time to figure out how to make room for him.

I told you earlier that Jim Johnson could be released from the hospital tomorrow morning. Here’s a comment from manager Buck Showalter. The last line amuses me.

“Talked to Jimmy today,” Showalter said. “Not a happy man, but we got some good news. Looks like that’s headed in a good direction. Feel a lot differently about it today than we did yesterday. They said if he can hold the food down – he’s going to be eating shortly – they might release him in the morning. That would be good, real good, especially for the nurses who have to take care of him.”

Johnson apparently was dealing with flu-like symptoms and a bacterial infection, which had doctors trying to figure out the exact source.

“It’s more of what they’ve eliminated,” Showalter said. “Sometimes, something happens as a result of having some bacterial stuff that gets to be as much of a problem as what actually caused it. Some irritation and some infection there. First time he’s felt like he’s going in the other direction.”

Nolan Reimiold is back in left field tonight after missing the last four games with neck stiffness.

“Nolan’s feeling good,” Showalter said. “He’s going to give it a shot tonight. He’s ready to go. See how that goes. He did a lot of work yesterday and didn’t have any setbacks. I think we’ve done everything we can to go forward on that.”

Showalter was asked if Pedro Strop is available tonight after recording saves the past two nights.

“I’ll never tell,” Showalter replied, grinning. “I do know what we’re going to do, but I kind of like having some bullets in the back.”

In other words, Showalter doesn’t want Blue Jays manager John Farrell to know that Strop most likely will be rested.

I’ve been asked numerous times about Brandon Inge, who was released today by the Tigers. All I can say is the Orioles continue to seek ways to improve their infield defense, and while the club won’t comment, there appears to be interest in Inge.

I can’t give you an exact level or place odds on Inge signing with the Orioles, but they’re discussing him. The idea hasn’t been dismissed.