By Marc Carig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 14, 2008

BALTIMORE, May 13 -- With two more off days coming in the next week, the Baltimore Orioles will skip veteran right-hander Steve Trachsel in the rotation to keep other pitchers closer in line with their regular turns, Manager Dave Trembley said on Tuesday.

Left-handers Garrett Olson and Brian Burres will start against the Washington Nationals on Friday and Saturday. Jeremy Guthrie will take his turn at the top of the rotation on regular rest for Sunday's series finale, leaving the 37-year-old Trachsel as the odd man out.

"I wasn't surprised," Trachsel said. "I just have to suck it up."

Trachsel pitched to an 11.05 ERA in four starts before making a mechanical adjustment in his delivery that helped him rebound with a victory against the Kansas City Royals on Friday.

A ground ball took a high hop and struck Melvin Mora on a bone in his right shoulder during pregame infield practice Tuesday, forcing Trembley to pull the third baseman out of the lineup before game time. Mora will have the shoulder X-rayed.

"I go like this, it hurts," Mora said as he raised his right arm. "When I go back it hurts. I don't know. I'll get an X-ray and see what the doctor says." An X-ray and an MRI exam on Ramón Hernández's sprained left wrist came back negative, though the catcher remains day-to-day with inflammation. Hernández got a cortisone shot to help dull the pain and hopes to begin hitting in the next few days. He hasn't swung a bat since he was pulled from the lineup before last Saturday's game at Kansas City. Second baseman Brian Roberts returned to the starting lineup after missing two games with a bruised left foot.

UP NEXT: Wednesday vs. Red Sox 3:05 p.m. Cabrera (3-1) vs. Lester (2-2) MASN

Friday vs. Nationals 7:05 p.m. Hill (0-0) vs. Olson (2-0) MASN