HOUSTON - Ubaldo Jiménez is moving to the bullpen beginning tonight, as the Orioles shake up their rotation by inserting Alec Asher for Sunday's series finale against the Astros. Manager Buck Showalter said his decision was made Wednesday while Asher worked two scoreless innings on 24 pitches. He just wasn't making it public. "We could have put him out there for a third inning, but didn't want to," Showalter said. "I thought it was a perfect spot for him to get three days down and...

HOUSTON - Ubaldo Jiménez is moving to the bullpen beginning tonight, as the Orioles shake up their rotation by inserting Alec Asher for Sunday's series finale against the Astros.

Manager Buck Showalter said his decision was made Wednesday while Asher worked two scoreless innings on 24 pitches. He just wasn't making it public.

"We could have put him out there for a third inning, but didn't want to," Showalter said. "I thought it was a perfect spot for him to get three days down and start, almost like a normal start.

"I think he's deserving of the opportunity. He's presented himself well since we got him in the spring and his starts up here and in the bullpen. The challenge is it kind of takes someone who is pitching well out of our 'pen. It's been a challenge to try to figure out a way to get deeper in some of the games. It won't really matter who we have in the bullpen if we don't."

Jiménez hasn't been able to provide much length. He's failed to complete five innings in five of his eight starts and his ERA is up to 7.17. The Orioles couldn't continue down that road.

They're hoping that the switch offers two benefits - Asher gets hitters out on a more consistent basis and Jiménez works out his problems in the bullpen.

"That's a part of it," Showalter said. "He's got a history of going down there and coming back and pitching well, so we'll try that. It's been a challenge for him. It's not like every time he's pitched he's been horrible, but we have to figure out some way to get him going."

Asher has been valuable in the bullpen with his ability to recover quickly, consume innings and work in the later innings if Showalter wants to stay away from Brad Brach, Darren O'Day or Mychal Givens. That's the drawback to putting Asher in the rotation.

"We've got other people down there, too, but it also presents a way for Ubaldo to get back where he needs to be and we think Ash has got a chance to help us there. Who knows?" Showalter said.

Asher, met by a small group of reporters near his locker, said he hadn't been told whether he was starting on Sunday. Meanwhile, he already had been given the news. The slight grin on his face should have been a clue.

"I told him the day before yesterday," Showalter said. "I know he can keep a secret now. He's deserving and we still hold out hope that Ubaldo gets back to us. "

This isn't the first time that Jiménez has been pulled from the rotation and it's never an easy conversation for Showalter "because of the respect we all have for him as a teammate and a person and a pitcher," he said.

"He knows we're doing it with a pure heart and doing what we think is best for the club. At some point, him pitching every fifth day might be what's best for the club."

Asher will take any assignment given to him, as long as it keeps him in the majors.

"Just go out every day and just be ready for anything," he said. "Like I've said before, I come and if my name's called, I just go out there and try to get guys out and do my job."

The preparation doesn't really change except for limiting his throwing as he approaches a start.

"Just be ready for anything," he said. "It's all just pitching. Luckily, I'm able to prepare myself the way I do. I go every day just expecting to pitch and if my name's called, go out and try to do my job."

All 12 of Asher's appearances with the Phillies came as a starter. He worked out of minor league rotations beginning in 2013 at the high Single-A level. However, the bullpen has become a comfortable spot for him.

"I like doing both," he said. "Any opportunity to pitch is great. So, whether it's starting or relieving, I'm happy to do it.

Asher doesn't need much rest between appearances, which increases his value to the Orioles.

"I think a lot has to do with mechanics and having a clean arm action," he said. "It allows me, I think, to bounce back a little better. It's not so much max effort. I really don't try to through as hard as I can, so there could be many factors into that.

"Luckily, I don't get all that sore, so I'm able to bounce back and throw pretty much every day."

Jiménez gives the Orioles a third long reliever to go with Tyler Wilson and left-hander Jayson Aquino.

The Astros still haven't announced a starter for Saturday, but it's left-hander Dallas Keuchel if he's ready to come off the disabled list.

"He is pitching tomorrow. You want to bet? It will be him or (Brad) Peacock," Showalter said.

"We've had some discussions. We feel like it will be Keuchel. It's OK. We're more interested in trying to figure out (Joe) Musgrove. We'll worry about that tomorrow."

The Orioles announced earlier today that shortstop Luis Sardiñas cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk. They claimed him from the Padres on Wednesday.

"I'll tell you, he's got a chance to help," Showalter said. "He was pretty well thought of at one time. Sometimes, it's so tough to handicap who will get through and who won't get through. Twenty-eight clubs could be real sure and then one things they found the Holy Grail. We'll see.

"We also needed somebody down there after we took (Paul) Janish away from them. We didn't want to take anybody from Bowie, so Dan (Duquette) said he thought we needed another infielder down there."

Closer Zach Britton continues to move through his throwing progression in Sarasota. More repetitions on flat ground from a slightly longer distance.

"Everything's going good," Showalter said. "He's right on schedule. He's doing well."

Hunter Harvey, the former first-round draft pick who underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow July 26, 2016, will throw a 35-pitch bullpen session on Saturday down in extended spring training and is close to pitching in a simulated game.

Without any setbacks, Harvey could pitch for an affiliate later this summer rather than wait until the Arizona Fall League.

"If he stays on track," Showalter said.

The Orioles must decide where to assign Harvey after he's ready to join an affiliate.

"I'll leave that to Brian (Graham) and Dan," Showalter said. "Probably start him out somewhere down below and let him work his way up. I don't know. We haven't gotten that far yet."

The Orioles released outfielder Henry Urrutia yesterday from Norfolk's roster, making him a minor league free agent. Not the happy ending that everyone wanted after he defected from Cuba, reached the majors and hit a walk-off home run against the Mets.

"Maybe it still will be," Showalter said. "I know he wants to keep playing and now he'll get an opportunity and a fresh start and a fresh look. I know Dan and everybody felt like he had some people ahead of him and wanted to give him an opportunity to make his way with somebody else."

Update: Kevin Gausman got ahead of Jake Marisnick 0-2 in the third inning and gave up a solo home run to break a scoreless tie. Astros starter Joe Musgrove has retired nine of 10 batters.

Update II: Carlos Beltran homered off Gausman with two outs in the sixth to increase the lead to 2-0.