Orioles option LHP McFarland to make room for Chen

BALTIMORE (AP) The Baltimore Orioles have recalled left-hander Wei-Yin Chen from the minor leagues and optioned reliever T.J. McFarland to Triple-A Norfolk.

Chen started Friday night against Cleveland. He was optioned to Single-A Frederick on June 16 and pitched in one game there.

McFarland is 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA in three stints with the Orioles this season.

Baltimore is poised to make another move in the next few days, one that might require a more complex roster shuffle. Second baseman Jonathan Schoop is ready to be activated from the disabled list, where he has languished since April 18 with a sprained right knee ligament.

Schoop could return Saturday if Baltimore places center fielder Adam Jones on the DL. Jones hasn't played since June 20 because of a sore right shoulder.

Jones threw before batting practice, and how he feels Saturday will determine his fate.

''If he's sore from what he did today, then we'll probably DL him,'' manager Buck Showalter said.

But the Orioles don't want to make the move unless it's absolutely certain that Jones would require another week off.

''We're not ready to throw a blanket on Adam. He's too valuable,'' Showalter said.

Schoop, meanwhile, is ready to go. He was scheduled to continue his rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Bowie on Friday, but Showalter said Schoop could just as well have played for Baltimore.

Schoop worked hard the past three months, and the results are evident.

''He's probably in the best shape of his life right now,'' Showalter said. ''He looks lean, his body fat is the lowest it's been in the last three or four years.''

Schoop, who stopped by the clubhouse before leaving for nearby Bowie, said, ''I feel like I am better than before. I feel like I am stronger than before. I feel like I am faster than before.''