Dave Trembley didn't mince words about the importance of tonight's start to Alfredo Simon or tomorrow's to Hayden Penn. The two of them are vying for either the fifth slot in the rotation or one of the last spots in the bullpen.

"The start for Simon today and Penn tomorrow will lend itself to us making a decision on which way we want to go,'' said Trembley, who added that he was talking both about the makeup of the rotation and whether the team goes with 12 or 13 pitchers.

He remained coy, however, on just how the two starts might impact the makeup of the club, and refused to rule Brian Bass out of the rotation, though he seems like a long shot at this point. Bass only figures to pitch an inning or so tonight.

"We got him stretched out once,'' Trembley said. "We could do it again if we have to."

Orioles

Cesar Izturis SS
Adam Jones CF
Nick Markakis RF
Melvin Mora 3B
Aubrey Huff 1B
Ty Wigginton 2B
Luke Scott DH
Ryan Freel LF
Chad Moeller C

Alfredo Simon RHP

New York Mets

Jose Reyes SS
Daniel Murphy LF
David Wright 3B
Carlos Delgado 1B
Carlos Beltran CF
Ryan Church RF
Ramon Castro C
Luis Castillo 2B
Oliver Perez LHP

Lineup note: The Mets agreed to let the Orioles use a designated hitter, but manager Jerry Manuel has decided to leave starter Oliver Perez in the batting order.