*Travis Ishikawa is here and will wear No. 45. He’s starting at designated hitter tonight, which means the Orioles will officially place Miguel Gonzalez on paternity leave prior to tonight’s game.

Here are your lineups..
ORIOLES LINEUP

Nate McLouth LF
Manny Machado 3B
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Chris Davis 1B
Matt Wieters C
J.J. Hardy SS
Travis Ishikawa DH
Ryan Flaherty SP
Zach Britton LHP

TIGERS LINEUP

Austin Jackson CF
Torii Hunter RF
Miguel Cabrera 3B
Prince Fielder 1B
Victor Martinez DH
Jhonny Peralta SS
Omar Tuiasosopo LF
Omar Infante 2B
Brayan Pena C
Justin Verlander RHP

The Orioles are leaning toward promoting Travis Ishikawa and have until midnight tonight to make a decision on the first baseman, who exercised his opt-out clause and would become a free agent if he isn’t promoted or traded to another club. With the astounding season from first baseman Chris Davis, the O’s haven’t had room for Ishikawa on the roster despite his success at Triple-A Norfolk this season.

But with Miguel Gonzalez leaving the team prior to yesterday’s game, for the birth of his daughter, the Orioles have a roster spot temporarily open. Gonzalez has not been on paternity leave yet, but that’s the plan and it will allow the team to have an extra player for 1-3 days depending on how long Gonzalez is gone. Gonzalez joined wife, Lucia, who gave birth to the couple’s first child, Leah, last night in Southern California. Given Thursday’s off day, he could not miss a start but the Orioles would still get the benefit of an extra player if Gonzalez is put on paternity.

Ishikawa is batting .316/.413/.525 with 16 doubles, seven homers and 31 RBIs in 49 games with Norfolk and was the International League Player of the Month in May. If he’s added, Ishikawa can’t be optioned back to Norfolk and has to be outrighted so he could refuse an assignment back to Triple-A. The Orioles had a similar situation with outfielder Nate McLouth last year, who they ended up adding to the roster right at the midnight deadline.

Speaking of Triple-A, Kevin Gausman will make his first start there tonight. To answer a question I’ve gotten a few times, Gausman was not an option to start yesterday because he has to stay in the Minor Leagues for a minimum of 10 days unless it’s an injury situation. He could have been used for tonight’s start if the team chose to have him as the extra player in place of Gonzalez, but the Orioles opted to go with Zach Britton instead. Britton has pitched well in Triple-A and had one start for the Orioles so far this season. I’d expect Gausman to be back up again very soon, you can bet manager Buck Showalter has the 10th day circled on his calendar, but right now he remains on track to start for Norfolk.

*The Orioles will not start Jason Hammel tomorrow and will likely push the right-hander, who has had a stomach virus, back until Friday’s game. Zach Britton will be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk in his place.

Hammel has been sick since Friday and stayed out of the clubhouse the two days after that. He’s in Detroit, but is still pretty weak and it’s probably safest to just let Chris Tillman go on his scheduled day Wednesday afternoon and push Hammel to the opener in Toronto.

*Miguel Gonzalez is in Detroit with the team, so there’s no baby news yet. If Gonzalez does have to leave the team -going on paternity leave- he could potentially be the roster move for Zach Britton.

*Wei-Yin Chen threw off a regular mound today, going 45 pitches, and will throw a simulate game on Thursday next. Manager Buck Showalter said Chen will have another sim game after that and he’s on track to potentially be activated from the DL in early July.

Here are your lineups…
ORIOLES LINEUP
Nate McLouth LF
Manny Machado 3B
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Chris Davis 1B
Matt Wieters C
J.J. Hardy SS
Chris Dickerson DH
Ryan Flaherty 2B

Jake Arrieta RHP

TIGERS LINEUP
Austin Jackson CF
Torri Hunter RF
Miguel Cabrera 3B
Prince Fielder 1B
Victor Martinez DH
Jhonny Peralta SS
Andy Dirks LF
Omar Infante 2B
Brayan Pena C

Max Scherzer RHP

Derek on the blog today for the series finale and the last game of the Orioles home stand.  Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there.

*Dylan Bundy (right flexor mass tightness) will make the next step in his throwing progression Monday. He’ll move to 90 feet for two sessions of 25 throws.

*Top position prospect Jonathan Schoop (lower back stress fracture) took the next step in his recovery. He’s jogging in a pool and throwing.

*The Orioles mapped out Wei-Yin Chen’s recovery schedule. Chen (oblique) threw off a full mound Saturday. “That was a big step [Saturday],” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “He came in today and felt good after throwing from a regular mound [Saturday].”

*Steve Johnson (oblique) is making mild improvements, but hasn’t come very far. They’ll take it slow with oblique injuries because a setback could mean an extended stay on the disabled list.

*The Orioles might push back Jason Hammel (virus) to Tuesday start. He may still make his scheduled start Monday, depending on how the Orioles need to use thier bullpen during Sunday’s game, Showalter said. Hammel spent two days away from the clubhouse with the illnes, but was back Sunday after receiving an IV on Saturday.

*Zach Britton was scratched from his scheduled start at Triple-A Norfolk. He’s one option if Jason Hammel (virus) can’t pitch tomorrow.

*TJ McFarland, who has pitched well out of the bullpen lately, would not be an option Monday, Showalter said. He threw 43 pitches Saturday, but he could be an option to start Tuesday in Detroit if needed.

And here are the lineups:

Baltimore Orioles
Nick Markakis RF
Manny Machado 3B
JJ Hardy SS
Adam Jones CF
Chris Davis 1B
Matt Wieters C
Danny Valencia DH
Steve Pearce LF
Alexi Casilla 2B

Miguel Gonzalez P

Boston Red Sox
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Jose Iglesias 2B
Daniel Nava RF
David Ortiz DH
Jonny Gomes LF
Mike Carp 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
Will Middlebrooks 3B
Stephen Drew SS

Jon Lester P

Derek here on the blog for Game 3 of a four-game set with the Red Sox. O’s have taken the first two games and sit 1.5 behind Boston in the AL East standings.

*Wei-Yin Chen’s pitching session in Sarasota went well today. He was scheduled to throw 35 pitches from a full mound for the first time since straining his oblique in Minnesota. Manager Buck Showalter said he’ll discuss the rehab schedule with GM Dan Duquette today, but has a date in mind that Chen will be back pitching for the Orioles, barring any setbacks.

*Brian Roberts (hamstring) will travel with the team on its road trip to Detroit and Toronto. He could begin a rehab assignment after that.

*Jason Hammel (virus) received an IV yesterday and was not in the clubhouse today. Showalter said if the team doctor thinks Hammel is past the contagious part of the virus, he’ll be back tomorrow. At this point, it seems unlikely Hammel would miss his scheduled Monday start in Detroit.

*Miguel Gonzalez’s wife is scheduled to give birth Wednesday. As of now, it appears Gonzalez will make his scheduled start Sunday, but obviously that could change quickly. Showalter said they have a plan in place for if Gonzalez needs to be scratched tomorrow to be with his wife.

And here are today’s lineups:

Baltimore Orioles
Nate McLouth LF
Manny Machado 3B
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Chris Davis 1B
Matt Wieters DH
JJ Hardy SS
Ryan Flaherty 2B
Taylor Teagarden C

Freddy Garcia P

Boston Red Sox
Jocoby Ellsbury CF
Shane Victorino RF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
David Ortiz DH
Mike Carp 1B
Jonny Gomes LF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
Stephen Drew SS
Jose Iglesias 3B

John Lackey P

It’s Derek on the blog here before Game 2 of a 4-game series at Camden Yards tonight. The Orioles took the first game in 13-innings but used just about the whole bullpen to do it. As such, the game’s starter, Kevin Gausman, was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk last night and today the team recalled Jake Arrieta to bolster the relief corps. If you want to follow me for in game updates, I’m on twitter (@DerekatDotCom).

*Manager Buck Showalter confirmed today that Nolan Reimold (hamstring) will begin his rehab stint Tuesday at Double-A Bowie. Reimold said he expects to be back with the Orioles in fewer than the maximum 20 days allowed to position player for rehab.

*Wei-Yin Chen (oblique) will throw 35 pitches from the mound Saturday in Sarasota. Assuming that goes well, they’ll re-evaluate his situation.

*Alexi Casilla (right index finger) is available to play today, Showalter said. Casilla still had his finger bandaged but said he is “ready to rock and roll.”

*Brian Roberts (hamstring) hit on the field today, Showalter said.

*Jason Hammel caught a virus from his child and is home sick today. He’s scheduled to pitch Monday in Detroit against the Tigers.

And here are the lineups:

Baltimore Orioles
Nate McLouth LF
Manny Machado 3B
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Chris Davis 1B
Matt Wieters C
JJ Hardy SS
Chris Dickerson DH
Ryan Flaherty 2B

Chris Tillman P

Boston Red Sox
Jaocby Ellsbury CF
Shane Victorino RF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
David Ortiz DH
Mike Carp 1B
Daniel Nava LF
Jose Iglesias SS
Will Middlebrooks 3B
David Ross C

Ryan Dempster P

The Orioles announced after Thursday’s 5-4, 13-inning game against Boston that they’ve optioned starter Kevin Gausman to Triple-A Norfolk. A corresponding move will be announced prior to Friday’s game although it seems fairly obvious they need a fresh reliever.

Gausman, who turned in 5 1/3 solid frames in his fifth Major League start went 0-3 with a 7.66 ERA.

The 22-year-old Gausman struck out five on Thursday and surrendered six hits, allowing a pair of runs on back-to-back homers in the fourth inning. Designated hitter David Ortiz sent a 1-1 pitch into the seats and Mike Carp –an in-game replacement for a sick Mike Napoli—followed, blasting Gausman’s changeup over the right centerfield wall.

Greetings from Camden Yards, where the Orioles will take on Boston for a four-game series to conclude the homestand. The O’s are fresh off taking two of three from the Angels.

Nate McLouth is getting the start despite the Red Sox sending left-handed starter Felix Doubront to the hill.

*Wei-Yin Chen (right oblique strain) threw off the half mound in Sarasota today with no problems and will progress to the full mound on Saturday. Assuming that goes well, he will travel back up to Baltimore and take his next work day with the team.

*Nolan Reimold was set to try sprints today for the first time and assuming that went OK the next step would be for him to go out on a rehab assignment. Manager Buck Showalter said that could come as soon as the team goes on the road next week.

*Alexi Casilla is still dealing with the lingering effects of jamming his finger during the Angels series. He’s not starting tonight, but is able to run or pinch-hit off the bench if needed. Casilla said the biggest issue is gripping the ball to throw it.

*Tsuyoshi Wada’s rehab assignment is up on the 15th and the Orioles are trying to work out an extension to keep him down in Triple-A. Executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said he expects to have a resolution on that front in the next few days. Typically, you could just activate the injured player and option them, but Wada’s contract is structured so that he can’t be sent to the Minors unless he consents to do so. So, this is an unusual situation. He’s not ready to help at the Major League level and ideally the Orioles would keep him in Norfolk as he tries to progress back from last year’s Tommy John surgery.

*Today was also the first day Steve Johnson felt some mild improvement in regards to his left oblique strain.

*Wilson Betemit (right knee injury) has progressed to taking ground balls down in Sarasota, and Showalter said Dylan Bundy has been progressing according to schedule.

*Brian Roberts (hamstring) was out taking some early batting practice this afternoon before the group all retreated inside during some heavy rain. The tarp is off as of 5 p.m. ET but there’s some unfriendly radar reading coming later on.
ORIOLES LINEUP
Nate McLouth LF
Manny Machado 3B
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Chris Davis 1B
Matt Wieters C
J.J. Hardy SS
Danny Valencia DH
Ryan Flaherty 2B

Kevin Gausman RHP
RED SOX LINEUP
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Shane Victorino RF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
David Ortiz DH
Mike Napoli 1B
Daniel Nava LF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
Will Middlebrooks 3B
JD Drew SS

LHP Felix Doubront

Derek filling in on the blog again today.

Good news before today’s game here: the field is dry and the sun is out. A few players said they’ve played in conditions worse than yesterday’s rain-soaked affair, but it’s among the worst to be sure. Nate McLouth said the conditions were the worst he’s ever played in. But after it stopped raining the grounds crew had the field playable and the team’s finished the game — something that had seemed impossible at the time it was delayed.

*Alexi Casilla was unavailable to start today. He jammed his right index finger sliding into second base on Sunday and had it wrapped today. He tried to play catch this afternoon but he said he only made one throw. He said he can pinch-run if needed and expects to be good to go tomorrow.

*Zach Britton had a good start for Triple-A Norfolk last night. Here’s his line: 6 innings, 4 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks and 5 striekouts. He gave up a solo home run.

And here are the lineups

Orioles
Nick Markakis RF
Manny Machado 3B
JJ Hardy SS
Adam Jones CF
Chris Davis 1B
Matt Wieters C
Danny Valencia DH
Steve Peaerce LF
Ryan Flaherty 2B

Miguel Gonzalez RHP

Angels
Mike Trout LF
Josh Hamilton DH
Albert Pujols 1B
Mark Trumbo RF
Howie Kendrick 2B
Erick Aybar SS
Brendan Harris 3B
Chris Iannetta C
Peter Bourjos CF

Jason Vargas LHP