Things Start Off Bad for O's, Then Get Much Worse

Hairston's return to the Orioles' lineup -- following a lengthy rehabilitation of a broken and dislocated finger suffered in the first inning of the first exhibition game of the spring -- failed to create anything remotely near what the Orioles had hoped to gain by adding a "supplemental" leadoff hitter to the bottom of their order.

Hairston went 1 for 3 with a stolen base, and was one of only three Orioles hitters to advance as far as second base against Buehrle (2-1) and reliever Jon Adkins.

"He shut us down," Mazzilli said of Buehrle. "It seemed like we were just blah. I don't know what it was."

Orioles Notes: In a surprise move, the team called up 22-year-old right-hander Daniel Cabrera to replace lefty Matt Riley, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Cabrera will make his major league debut in a start here Wednesday night against the White Sox.

Cabrera, who has received invitations to big-league camp the past two springs, has been dominating hitters at Class AA Bowie this season, compiling an 0-1 record and 2.63 ERA in five starts.

He struck out 11 batters in each of his last two starts, including a one-hit, no-walk performance against Erie on May 4. Though he has been overshadowed by other pitching prospects in the organization, such as John Maine, Denny Bautista and Adam Loewen, "He's been on our radar screen," according to Vice President of Baseball Operations Mike Flanagan. "And his last three or four starts have been outstanding."

As the fifth starter, Cabrera is guaranteed only two starts before Riley's scheduled return date of May 25. . . .

Riley, who spent the first month of the season in the Orioles' rotation, said he began experiencing discomfort in his shoulder soon after being moved to the bullpen May 2, and when he made his first relief appearance Sunday his fastball was down to about 88 mph. He will be shut down for 3-4 days. . . .

Hairston has offered to play the outfield, and the team has not ruled it out, although Hairston would first need to spend at least several days working on outfield play during batting practice.