BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Orioles manager Dave Trembley has stood by his claim.

After saying earlier this season the days of Cal Ripken are over, Trembley has shown no hesitation in resting his key players. The trend continued on Wednesday, when he gave arguably his best player —  Nick Markakis — the night off.

“He’s just getting a day,” Trembley said of his star who missed only the season finale last year. “We have a 12:35 game [Thursday], and a travel day [Friday].”

Trembley used the phrase “team game” when describing his decision, which also included starting Jay Payton in right field for the first time this season and trying to “jump-start” left fielder Luke Scott, who took Markakis’ spot in the No. 3 hole in the batting order.

Markakis reached base in 26 of the first 27 games this season, but entered Wednesday night batting just .233 (6-for-30) since the beginning of last week’s road trip on April 23 in Seattle.

But Markakis, who batted in the No. 3 spot in 26 games this season, isn’t seeing many hittable pitches.

“I talked to him [Wednesday] afternoon and I said to him, ‘Don’t change. Don’t give in. Don’t be something other than you are,’” Trembley said. “He’s got a fair amount of walks, and he’s up there in on base percentage. I don’t think you alter your approach based upon where the strike zone is, and I don’t think you let people know they’ve pushed your button. Those kinds of things happen.”

Markakis has walked 22 times and is getting on base at a .427 clip — both tops on the team.

Loewen bone scan clean » Left-handed starter Adam Loewen underwent a bone scan Tuesday, and the results came back “clean,” according to Trembley. The scan ruled out any additional trouble with the bone in which a rod was inserted last season. But Loewen, 24, likely will visit orthopedist Dr. James Andrews, performed the procedure on Loewen last summer, for a second opinion.

“I wouldn’t expect that he’s going to pitch when his 15-day [stint on the disabled list] is done,” Trembley said. “It’s going to be longer than those 15 days.”

Loewen, who is 0-1 with a 7.85 ERA in 18.1 innings pitched, went on the disabled list with elbow soreness on April 25.

Rotation set » Trembley announced the rotation for this weekend’s series at Anaheim: Jeremy Guthrie will start Friday, Daniel Cabrera on Saturday and Steve Trachsel on Sunday.

swelsh@baltimoreexaminer.com