Rebuilding project cutting into Jones’ playing time

Showalter contemplates next step for Bundy

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. – The Orioles’ late-season focus on auditioning young players is now taking away playing time from outfielder

For the second straight night and the third time in six games, Jones was absent from the team’s starting lineup. Manager

said Jones is healthy and able to play, saying Jones is sitting in an effort to give younger outfielders more September innings.

“Want to see some other guys. I talked to Adam. He knows what’s going on,” Showalter said. “It’s been while since he missed some games being healthy, so a little different territory for him. But I think he understands what’s going on.”

started in right field Saturday as the Orioles continued to start in center and get an extended look at

in left. “It’s a great opportunity for some guys to get some big league experience,” said Jones, 33. “It’s good to see some guys get big league experience, get into some games, get into some action. I’ve shown what I can do, so it’s good to, if you’re going to move forward with the new future. So, right now is no time like the present to get them some at-bats.

“Of course [it’s difficult], but at the same time I’m a pro about it and I want to see these guys succeed and I’m pushing for everybody when they get their chance. Right now is a great opportunity for three or four guys to get some at-bats going down the stretch.”

The benching of Jones — it’s unclear how much playing time he will get over the final three weeks of the season — marks the latest chapter in the club phasing out its identity of recent seasons and moving on with a rebuild. The team moved several pending free agents — — as well as controllable players and

Jones, the team’s longest-tenured player, was the one cornerstone player and pending free agent who remained, but only because he had the right to block the Orioles’ efforts to move him. As a veteran with 10 years of service time, including at least the past five with the same team, Jones vetoed a potential deal to the Philadelphia Phillies, opting to remain in Baltimore to play out a losing season instead of moving to a contender.

But now, the Orioles are taking away Jones’ playing time. He has spent 11 seasons with the Orioles and his 1,596 games with the team entering Saturday were the fourth most among active players with the same club. Checking on Bundy: Before considering the next step for struggling right-hander Showalter said Saturday he wants to sit down with his young pitcher to see where his mind is.

After Friday’s 14-2 loss to the Rays, Showalter said there has been no consideration to shutting down Bundy, who has an 8.83 ERA over his past 11 starts after allowing six runs on two three-run homers over four innings Friday.

On Saturday, asked whether it’s important to keep Bundy on the mound through his struggles, Showalter said, “Yes and no.”

“This is not something [you decide] 20 minutes after the game is over,” Showalter said. “I talked to him a little bit down the runway when he came out of the game. But the emotion really for a player and sometimes for the staff, I think I’m going to let him soak in his emotions and soak in his thoughts, and I’ll probably sit down with him [Sunday] morning and kind of see kind of what he’s thinking and what he’s feeling.” Cobb hoping for Tuesday:

won’t make today’s scheduled start with a blister that has lingered on his pitching hand, but he’s hoping he will be able to pitch Tuesday’s series opener against the Oakland Athletics at Camden Yards.

Cobb was scheduled to test his blister with a throwing session before Saturday’s game at Tampa Bay.

Left-hander is scheduled to fill in for Cobb today, and it will likely be the rookie’s final start of the season. Rogers, who was acquired from the New York Yankees in the Britton trade, has thrown 150 innings this season between the majors and minors. Right-hander Around the horn:

and are continuing their rehabilitation and progressing. Ynoa has a follow-up for a shoulder injury Tuesday and could begin throwing off flat ground. Showalter said the hope is both could pitch in instructional league.