Omar

Daal

''We have to give him more than three starts,’' manager Mike Hargrove said. '' [But] if he continues in this manner, then it starts opening that window. Right now we’re committed to Omar as a starter.’' Daal faces the Devil Rays in his next start, and even though their hitting has improved, it won’t look good if he struggles. If Daal does get demoted, Pat Hentgen would get the first crack at his rotation spot.

Daal will battle for a spot in the rotation with Matt Riley.

Daal could get into a couple games this month, but the bigger problem is what to do with him next year. He’s due to make $4.5 million in the final year of his contract -- a lot to pay if he isn’t starting. But the Orioles have better pitchers for their rotation, and plan to go after one or two big-time free agent starters.

This puts Daal’s return to the Orioles this season in doubt. He’s on the DL with left shoulder tendinitis.

The results weren’t great, but the fact he pitched was promising after being bumped from a start at Aberdeen following some shoulder discomfort. Daal should be back with the Orioles soon but shouldn’t have much of a role.

Daal wants another chance to start, but there’s no real reason to give him one. He’ll probably return as a middle reliever.

Don’t pick up Daal. The Orioles are being kind to give him a start.

Daal isn’t expected to start, and won’t have any value.

Daal, on the DL with tendinitis in his left rotator cuff, will pitch a simulated game tomorrow and throw on the side Friday before reporting to Aberdeen on Monday. Aberdeen’s season ends two days later. After that, manager Mike Hargrove said Daal could make a couple spot starts in September.

The Orioles still haven’t announced the rest of their rotatin beyond Rodrigo Lopez or Daal, but it’s clear that either Rick Helling or Pat Hentgen will start game three and be followed by Sidney Ponson and Jason Johnson.