KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Orioles manager Buck Showalter enjoys having a five-man bench, but it’s a luxury he realizes he might not have for long.

The Orioles have had six relievers since right-hander Chris Tillman returned from the disabled list last weekend. But with the bullpen ailing, Showalter knows the team might have to add an additional reliever soon.

In the Orioles’ 3-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Friday, Showalter had two relievers unavailable and another who was only going to be used in a save situation. That left just three available relievers and forced left-handed long man Vidal Nuno to pitch the eighth inning of a tied game. Nuno allowed the eventual game-winning run in the eighth. Given that Alec Asher was the only other reliever to get loose, Brad Brach, Darren O’Day and Donnie Hart were apparently the relievers who were unavailable.

Showalter has said that he’d like to see another reliever emerge to help late-inning relievers Mychal Givens, O’Day and Hart. But in the two games before Saturday, he tested two relievers in the eighth with little success. Before Nuno gave up the winning hit Friday, Asher allowed a two-run homer in the eighth and gave momentum to the Washington Nationals in an eventual 7-6 Orioles loss.

“They’re all capable of doing the job that needs to be done,” Showalter said. “The game last night, without the wild pitch, we scored one run. It’s hard to hang it on anything, but we all kind of dwell on that. I try to look at the big picture. Keep in mind, this is kind of all because Zach [Britton] is not here. That’s where its all coming from, but we have some people capable of doing those jobs and will. We’ve got some people down below who are going to make some significant contributions when it all kind of settles out.”

The five-man bench has allowed Showalter to use players later in the game for defensive upgrades and speed on the bases, but it’s coming at the cost of additional relief depth.

Jones uses donation to continue conversation on race: Orioles center fielder Adam Jones had already decided to make a financial contribution to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City before he received national attention earlier this month for coming forward after he was the target of racial slurs during a game at Fenway Park in Boston.

But in light of the incident, Jones said his $20,000 donation to the museum — and the attention it received — can continue to fuel the conversation about racial injustices that were a large part of the history of the game and still exist today.

“Whatever happened in Boston, it’s very unfortunate, but I think it can start a conversation in terms of people have to police people,” Jones said. “Situations like that should not occur. … This is a platform to speak on it. … It needed to be heard. … A lot of people say, ‘You make a lot of money, just stick to making money and play baseball.’ That has nothing to do with it. CEOs make a lot of money, too. A lot of people make a lot of money. It’s not about the money. … I just thought it was a great time and a great platform.”

Jones made that point Saturday afternoon during a ceremony at the museum officially announcing his donation.

Bundy feeling strong as innings rise: The Orioles continue to let right-hander Dylan Bundy loose, and part of it is a byproduct of his consistency this season. Because he has thrown eight straight quality starts to open the season, he’s already at 512/3 innings before the club has reached the quarter mark of the season, putting him on pace for a 200-inning season. After throwing a career-high 112 pitches Friday, Bundy is averaging 106 pitches in his eight starts.

Bundy will receive an extra day of rest because of Monday’s day off. He’s scheduled to start the final game of the team’s series in Detroit on Thursday. Showalter has said the club will continue to monitor Bundy in his first season as a full-time major league starter.

“Yeah, we’re careful,” Showalter said. “Nobody’s more careful.’’

Around the horn: Catcher Welington Castillo (shoulder tendinitis) threw to bases Saturday before serving as the designated hitter in both games of a doubleheader for Double-A Bowie. Castillo is scheduled to catch Sunday for Bowie and be activated before Tuesday’s game against the Detroit Tigers. … Showalter said he would likely give shortstop J.J. Hardy a day off Sunday in order to give him two straight days off with no game Monday. … Left-hander Wade Miley will start Tuesday’s opener in Detroit and right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez is scheduled to start Wednesday.

eencina@baltsun.com

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