Orioles right-hander Koji Uehara is expected to go on the disabled list with a hamstring strain and will be replaced in the rotation by another of the Orioles' young guns.
Right-hander David Hernandez, who is 3-1 with a 2.91 ERA at Triple-A Norfolk, is slated to make his major league debut Thursday at 7:05 p.m. against the Detroit Tigers, a baseball source confirmed.
Assuming things go as planned, Hernandez will be the second of three rookies to debut this homestand. Right-hander Jason Berken threw five innings Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays and super-prospect catcher Matt Wieters, will be in the lineup Friday against the Tigers.
Hernandez, 24, struck out 14 batters in his most recent Triple-A start Friday against Rochester. He has struck out 60 in 43 1/3 innings over eight games.
The Uehara move will not be made official until today, but Orioles manager Dave Trembley didn't sound hopeful Tuesday afternoon that Uehara will be able to rebound quickly.
"[Today] we'll probably have a better idea with Koji," he said. "I don't know what's going to happen overnight that we'll be able to say he's going to pitch in five more days."
Uehara left his start Saturday after the third inning with left hamstring soreness, something that has bothered him for a decade. He was hoping to throw a bullpen session Tuesday but didn't because of lingering soreness. Instead, he stretched, played catch and jogged in the outfield grass before the game.
"My activity went well, but because I didn't pitch on the side today, that's something I have to determine, when I'll be ready," Uehara said through his interpreter.
In the next two days, Uehara will be placed on the disabled list. The Orioles will need to make another move when Luke Scott (left shoulder strain) comes off the disabled list Wednesday. That move has not been determined.
Montanez might miss rest of season
Outfielder Lou Montanez had successful surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb Tuesday and will not be able to resume baseball activities for eight to 10 weeks.
"We don't expect that he'd be able to play at the earliest until mid-September," Trembley said. "He's out for an extended period of time."
Montanez injured the thumb while diving for a ball May 2. He would not have done further damage to the thumb if he had continued to play but wouldn't have been at full strength, so he opted for surgery.
"That was his decision, and I agreed with his decision," Trembley said. "He wanted to get it done as soon as he possibly could and get it out of the way."
Montanez hit .204 with one homer in 18 games.
Markakis creates foundation
Four months after signing a six-year, $66.1 million contract extension, right fielder Nick Markakis and his wife, Christina, have created The Right Side Foundation, a charity for distressed and disadvantaged youth throughout Maryland.
The foundation, which was announced at a news conference Tuesday, will provide activities and initiatives for children starting next month. Its first event will be a twilight 5K run and Mile Fun Walk at Patterson Park on Aug. 16, after the Orioles' game against the Los Angeles Angels.
"After signing the contract and being blessed with all things going on in my life, getting married and [the birth of son Taylor], I've always talked about helping and giving back to the community," Markakis said.
