O's consider using Gonzalez in six-man rotation

CLEVELAND -- The Orioles' starters for the first two games of next week's White Sox series are Bud Norris and Chris Tillman, with Miguel Gonzalez potentially starting on Wednesday.

Gonzalez was optioned to the Minor Leagues to create a roster spot for Ubaldo Jimenez and was recently moved to Double-A Bowie, though he could potentially throw his next pitch for Baltimore.

"We've got three options," O's manager Showalter said of Gonzalez, who is eligible to be recalled as early as Tuesday. "We can bring back Miguel and pitch him out of the bullpen, bring him back starting or leave him there. Those are the three things we have to decide."

If the Orioles do have Gonzalez pitch on Wednesday, that would move Wei-Yin Chen back until after Thursday's off-day. Chen, who threw seven solid innings Friday night, has pitched considerably better on extra rest, although Showalter said he's comfortable with having Chen stay on turn as well.

"It's not like he's never pitched well on regular rest," Showalter said. "He's certainly shown that he doesn't get out of sync or anything, just slightly better with rest. ... Miguel here, if he gets back here, [it] allows us to do some things [to set up the rotation]."

Gonzalez has gone 6-6 with a 3.80 ERA in 20 games (19 starts) this season.