Orioles/Yankees lineups and pregame tidbits

*As expected Brian Matusz won’t be ready to start a rehab assignment when the team leaves for Chicago following Thursday’s game. He will return to Sarasota and continue to progress, with the expectation being that his first outing will be an extended spring game. Manager Buck Showalter said the team has it laid out conservatively up to when Matusz (left intercostal strain) would rejoin the club, but he didn’t divulge specific details.

Matusz would need at least three rehab starts so don’t expect him back before mid-May, at the earliest. The Orioles are going to get this right and hopefully they won’t have to do deal with any setbacks or issues related to Matusz’s injury down the road.

*J.J. Hardy is expected to start baseball-related activites on Monday. This will be just dry swings since he hasn’t had a bat in his hands in a few weeks now. He will need to play in some rehab games, but Showalter said that’s a “moving target” right now.

*Chris Tillman (right groin soreness) said he was disappointed with the decision to skip his start but understood the consensus that it would be a good idea to end any lingering issues. He will be available out of the bullpen tonight if needed, but the Orioles will try to stay away from him.

*The Yankees have decided to go with Freddy Garcia for Sunday’s game. He will face Jake Arrieta.

ORIOLES LINEUP
Brian Roberts 2B
Nick Markakis RF
Derrek Lee 1B
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Adam Jones CF
Mark Reynolds 3B
Matt Wieters C
Jake Fox LF
Robert Andino SS

Brad Bergesen RHP

YANKEES LINEUP
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Jorge Posada DH
Rusell Martin C
Brett Gardner LF

CC Sabathia LHP