Jimenez to make 3rd start after losing rotation role
RHP pitched well in starts against Padres
SEATTLE — For lack of a better option, the removal of Orioles pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez from the starting rotation about three weeks ago has proved temporary, with the right-hander scheduled to make his third start since that brief banishment Sunday against the Seattle Mariners.
Jimenez’s steadiness off the field, whether things are going well for him or not, is one of the reasons manager Buck Showalter feels fine sticking him back in there despite the 6.89 ERA that chased him out of the rotation.
“I think that comes with experience, too,” Showalter said. “He’s had to deal with reality. I was talking with [former Colorado Rockies manager] Jim Tracy. ... Tracy said, ‘You’ve got to understand, for two years he was the best pitcher I’ve ever seen, ever in baseball.’ He said, ‘Think about when you’re on the top of the mountain, then you’re at the bottom, then you’re somewhere in between — it takes a lot of mental toughness and a grip on reality to go through that.’
“I don’t know how many of us could if you knew you weren’t carrying the same bullets you were — none of us are — [as] at 25, 26, but he never quits competing. And I think he has a grip on reality.”
Jimenez was removed from the Orioles rotation in favor of righthander Yovani Gallardo after retiring just one of seven batters in a June 12 start against the Toronto Blue Jays.
He pitched poorly once in relief, but took the rotation spot vacated when Mike Wright was optioned for a second time.
In two starts since, Jimenez has faced the hapless San Diego Padres twice, limiting them to three earned runs on seven hits and eight walks with 12 strikeouts in 11 innings.
In his most recent start against the Mariners on May 17, the Orioles lost, 10-0, and he allowed six runs in 41⁄3 innings.
Flaherty’s cruel fate: Ryan Flaherty filled in as a fixture in the Orioles infield as well as anyone could ask while shortstop J.J. Hardy was out, providing a bit of power and standout defense at third base while Manny Machado shifted to short.
But since Hardy’s return and the end of Machado’s suspension, Flaherty has been back to his familiar utility infielder role off the bench. Flaherty entered Saturday night without an at-bat since June 22 after starting 28 of 43 games in Hardy’s absence.
“It’s part of the game, you know?” Flaherty said. “Obviously, it’s my role. I understand it. You just stay ready, and when your name is called, try to get in there and help the team win.”
He entered as a late-inning defensive substitute twice in the past week but returned to the seldom-used role knowing he has served his purpose.
The Orioles were 24-18 without Hardy, and Flaherty got into a groove as his regular role grew. He hit .221/.306/.326 with two home runs in that stretch.
He has 16 hits over his past 17 games as a starter.
Schoop still swinging: The production is coming in games, but Showalter knows he’s seeing a new side of second baseman Jonathan Schoop when he watches batting practice.
Schoop’s two hits in Friday night’s 5-2 loss to the Mariners gave him nine multihit games in his past 13, a stretch in which he’s hitting .463 (25-for-54) with three home runs. Schoop hit .355 with a 1.009 OPS and five home runs in June for far and away the best month of his major league career.
Schoop downplays the improvements.
“Just trying to get better,” he said. “Trying to play every day and compete and win. I go into the cage, get my work done and try to get better.”
Through 79 games, Schoop entered Saturday batting .300 with 13 home runs, 21 doubles and a career-high 47 RBIs. He also has tied a career high with 13 walks.
Around the horn: Showalter said reliever Darren O’Day (hamstring) would need a “nice development” to take another bullpen session in Los Angeles this week. “I told him if he wasn’t better when we got back from this trip, it’s probably time to change environments, maybe head to Sarasota,” Showalter said. “Every day, Darren wants to be out there so bad. It’s almost like you push it too hard.” ... Pitching prospect Hunter Harvey (sports hernia) will make his next rehabilitation appearance for Short-A Aberdeen . ... Wright pitched 62⁄3 scoreless innings for Norfolk on Saturday, lowering his ERA in three starts there to 0.87.