Ubaldo shaky in first true O's bullpen experience

BALTIMORE -- During the Orioles' closer-than-it-should-have-been 12-8 win against the Twins on Sunday, manager Buck Showalter decided it would be a perfect opportunity to try Ubaldo Jimenez out of the bullpen. Showalter had already seen his former starting pitcher come out of the 'pen once, after a rain delay against the Cubs a week earlier, but he doesn't really consider that a relief appearance -- Jimenez was able to essentially treat it like a start.

Jimenez entered with a seven-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and walked the leadoff man. Then he surrendered a double to Brian Dozier and walked two of the next three batters. Those left at Oriole Park at Camden Yards booed the O's $50 million offseason acquisition off the field.

"Yesterday was really the first time, for me, he really came out of the 'pen," Showalter said. "Hopefully, it'll be a little better next time out. It's frustrating for us because we know the level that he's capable of."

Now the challenge for Showalter becomes finding times to use Jimenez in favorable situations for the righty. He had seven days off between outings, which was too much, Showalter said.

One option could be to have Jimenez start next Friday during a doubleheader against the Yankees in Baltimore. Showalter will have to get him on the field sometime before then, though.

"I'd like to get him back out there," Showalter said. "He's handled it as well as one can."