Machado, Patton, and Pearce Return, But Who Leaves?

Mar 15, 2014; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman

(13) in the dugout against the New York Yankees at

Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles may finally play a game on Thursday, and they are scheduled to play two.

Since their last game on Sunday. The Orioles have had a lot going on. First, we know Chris Davis is going to be out for at least the 15 days he is on the DL, and it likely will be almost a month.

But, the Orioles are also getting back Manny Machado, who was hitting much like you would expect a healthy Manny to hit against single-A pitching.

In addition, the Birds will likely have a ‘new’ first baseman when they take the field for Game 1 of the doubleheader.  Steve Pearce is back on the team, and has already been added.  This will put Nick Markakis back in right field.

Jonathan Schoop has earned the starting spot at second base.  He played well in the spring, and has had some learning experiences while playing almost every game with Manny out, and he has looked good.

In addition, Troy Patton comes off the suspended/restricted list for Game 2 on Thursday.  The Orioles, adding Pearce, currently have 25 people on their roster, before adding Machado and Patton.

So, what do they do?  One option is to think of the players who become expendable.  Those would be Jemile Weeks and also one of either Ryan Flaherty or Steve Lombardozzi.

You noticed I didn’t mention getting rid of a pitcher.  With the O’s inability to pitch deep in games, a doubleheader and then few off days coming up, the Orioles may need to go with 13 pitchers for awhile.

However, there is another option.  Look at the players doing the worst right now for Baltimore.  Ryan Flaherty, David Lough and Josh Stinson. Then there is Jemile Weeks, who just was added to the roster when Davis got hurt.

Lough and Stinson are out of options, so sending them down would mean losing them.  There is no way that happens to Lough.  And I doubt it happens to Stinson, because even though he has looked bad this year, he is the long man.

Last year when Flaherty went down to AAA, he was able to regain his hitting stroke which carried over for much of the season.  Now, the Orioles have Lombardozzi, who is a very similar player.

I think the O’s should send down Weeks and Flaherty, because even though I like what Weeks brings to the table, Jonathan Schoop should start every day.  However, I believe they will send down Weeks and Stinson, a move that will leave the bullpen vulnerable when a starter fails to go deep into a game.

Hopefully Thursday the O’s get the game in and we can see what happens.