Bard Will Not Be Pants-Free, Eating PB&J, Before His Starts

... in case you are curious.

Daniel Bard is trying to find a proper pre-game routine as a starter.

I pretty much went up to everyone and asked them, "What am I supposed to be doing?" It was kind of a running joke throughout the day. I found myself in the training room, all done with what I needed to do stretching-wise with about 20 minutes to spare ...

It's a totally different feeling I haven't had in years ... It's not a bad thing, it's just something you got to get used to. Every guy has their own thing. Lackey walks around with no pants on, bounces a baseball, eats peanut butter and jelly. Jon Lester's got his headphones on, but he's still walking around, talking to guys. Everyone has their own thing. Curt Schilling was a guy that nobody could talk to until the last pitch was thrown. [Beckett has a] very, very long routine, very detailed.

Alfredo Aceves pitched well in relief of Bard yesterday, throwing 26 pitches and retiring all six Orioles he faced. Valentine: "It just looked like it was a day at the beach for him." ... Andrew Bailey "is ready" to pitch in a game, according to Bobby Valentine. "He's pain-free and feels like he's throwing the ball fine."

Valentine says that Justin Germano, who starts this afternoon against the Blue Jays, was in the running for the fifth starter job. Carlos Silva is not, as right shoulder inflammation has removed him from the picture.

Andrew Miller has "a little stiffness" in the back of his left elbow and will not pitch on Thursday. ... Stories on Will Middlebrooks here and here.