Showalter on Castillo, Jackson and more (O's down 4-1)
Today qualified as a slow news day, which didn't escape manager Buck Showalter. He could sense that the media was searching for pregame topics.
Catcher Welington Castillo playing catch before batting practice drew some interest despite his injury centering lower than his right arm.
Castillo could be facing his second rehab assignment after making three starts at Double-A Bowie while recovering from right shoulder tendinitis.
"I wouldn't commit that he's going to go out and play, but you'd think that would be ... He's not a guy that really needs much time like that. And he doesn't like it too much," Showalter said.
"It worked out the other time because we were off and it kind of worked out locally. But you would think that he would catch some. At this point in the season, I don't think that it's imperative. He's not that far removed from it."
The Orioles are receiving favorable reports on Edwin Jackson at Triple-A Norfolk, and it's easier to create a roster spot for him than Pedro Ãlvarez. The bullpen has the necessary flexibility.
Jackson can't be optioned, so he's not one of the maneuverable pitches, but that's not a concern.
"I don't consider that to be a crimp on that, but I'm not the only one weighing in that may feel that way. I can see how somebody would feel differently, but there's other things to consider there," Showalter said.
"He's not the only guy worthy of helping us up here. They don't all have to be in Norfolk, either. But I think we've got a pretty good feel for what he could bring. He's showed that he's healthy and doing the same things that he's done in the past."
While we're still down on the farm, catcher Chance Sisco is batting .245/.316/.364 with 11 doubles, two home runs and 19 RBIs in 41 games with Norfolk. Showalter is more interested in Sisco's defense and he recently spoke to roving catching instructor Donnie Werner.
The feedback was encouraging.
"He likes the way he's receiving and catching the ball," Showalter said. "Donnie said the hitting part of it, regardless of what he's hitting now, that's not going to be an issue. He said his footwork's gotten a little off throwing. They think they made some adjustments with that.
"Keep in mind this guy hadn't caught that much until he got to pro ball. He's 22 in Triple-A and I challenge you to find a 22-year-old catcher in Triple-A for somebody. It's a big jump for him. I think when the body of work is done you're going to like it."
Sisco isn't the only catcher on the Orioles' radar. Double-A Bowie's Austin Wynns, 26, is batting .304/.397/.429 with 11 doubles, three home runs and 22 RBIs in 44 games and he's regarded as a plus defender.
"I'll tell you the guy who's really come is Austin Wynns," Showalter said. "Donnie was real upbeat about him. You see the things he's doing offensively this year, if you look back and really look at it closely, this isn't that big of a jump for him offensively. You'll see him catching in the major leagues at some point for somebody, maybe us."
The Red Sox made a late lineup change. Second baseman Josh Rutledge was scratched due to being dehydrated and replaced by Deven Marrero.
Update: Hanley Ramirez broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning with a two-run homer off Dylan Bundy on an 0-2 curveball.
Update II: Manny Machado homered in the seventh inning to reduce the lead to 2-1, but Ubaldo Jiménez gave up two runs in the eighth while throwing 36 pitches.
Richard Bleier worked two scoreless innings after Bundy failed to go six innings for the first time this season.