Orioles' Aquino debuts versus Red Sox (Apr 22, 2017)

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles will look to keep the Boston Red Sox off-balance with a promising left-handed pitcher making his major league debut Saturday

The Red Sox, meanwhile, hope their starter has a better outing against their American League East rival after the Orioles took the series opener 2-1 on Friday night.

Baltimore's Jayson Aquino was promoted Wednesday from Triple-A Norfolk and joins Wade Miley as a left-hander in the starting rotation. The Red Sox will counter with Steven Wright (1-1, 8.36). The right-handed knuckleballer took his first loss of the season April 12 against the Orioles when he allowed eight runs on eight hits in just 1 1/3 inning.

Red Sox manager John Farrell was not overly concerned about facing a pitcher for the first time. The key will be how well Aquino executes his pitches.

"You take whatever information is available, including those who may have seen him in person in years past. You're able to formulate at least a starting point," Farrell said. "Whether it's a guy you faced many times before or the first time, it's still going to come down to a guy on the mound executing his pitches."

Aquino caught the eye of Orioles manager Buck Showalter with a solid spring training when he allowed just two runs over 15 innings. Aquino also threw six scoreless innings in his last outing at Norfolk.

"He's a starter for us because of the changeup and his ability to defend himself against right-handed hitters," Showalter said. "We're going to run him out there every fifth day somewhere this year. I'm anxious to see where it takes us. He's a potential depth piece for us."

The Red Sox have already dealt with numerous injuries and illnesses this season. The team suffered another blow when second baseman Dustin Pedroia was forced to leave Friday's game in the eighth inning when he was spiked in the left calf by Manny Machado.

Pedroia said the leg is sore and his availability for Saturday is uncertain.

"I'll see how I feel (Saturday)," Pedroia said. "If I feel good, I'll intend to play, absolutely. I'm (ticked) we lost the game. My job is to get taken out, and hang in there and turn double plays. That's how you win games. I'm not mad. I'm made we lost the game."

Machado said he did not mean to hurt Pedroia. When asked whether he expected the Red Sox might retaliate, Machado responded: "I don't expect anything. I'm going to play baseball. What happens, happens. It's called baseball. We play behind the lines. They've got to protect their players. They've got to do what they've got to do on their side. It's up to them. I know what I'm going to do over here on this side."

Boston has not played with its regular lineup for 16 consecutive games. The Red Sox got a break when center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (right knee sprain) returned from the disabled list for the series opener in Baltimore. However, the team was forced to place utility player Brock Holt on the 10-day disabled list with vertigo.