Yacabonis to serve as opener Wednesday

OAKLAND -- The Orioles plan to use right-hander Jimmy Yacabonis as an opener in Wednesday’s series finale against the Oakland A’s. Left-hander Josh Rogers will follow out of the bullpen.

Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde was hesitant to name a starter for Wednesday, having been forced to use an excessive number of relievers during the Orioles’ recent spate of high-scoring or extra-inning games. But the state of the Orioles’ staff stabilized somewhat Monday, when Andrew Cashner lasted six innings before Yacabonis finished with a pair of shutout frames.

Hyde noted that he wanted to start a right-hander against Oakland’s predominantly right-handed-hitting lineup. Despite Yacabonis’ 32-pitch outing Monday, Hyde said he should be able to provide an inning or two as the opener.

Rogers will make his sixth Major League appearance, assuming he doesn’t appear Tuesday.

“The way our pitching is, you kind of never know,” Hyde said. “We’re keeping him available tonight, but best-case scenario, he will pitch tomorrow.”

Rogers impressed the Orioles with a long-relief outing last Friday against Boston, allowing two runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings.