Adam Jones is out of the starting lineup again, for the eighth time in 10 games due to the shoulder pain that was re-aggravated on a swing Wednesday.

And it looks like it will be nine of 11.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he “wouldn’t look for him to be a player (Saturday or Sunday).”

That’s the bad news.

The good news, Showalter said, is that athletic trainer Richie Bancells believes Jones’ shoulder, which was first injured Aug. 24 when he was hit by Gavin Floyd pitch, is improving after a cortisone shot Thursday. So playing Sunday is not an impossibility, just not likely.

“I will leave that open, but I know talking to Richie, we are excited about the progress he is making and there’s always that possibility. I am not going to take that carrot away from him,” Showalter said. “From my perspective, I am not looking at it like there is a sense that we are going to have him back real quick, but I am hoping to get surprised by it tomorrow or Monday.”

Corey Patterson started in center on Saturday.