Dan Connolly

Gausman pitches into the fourth at Frederick; Now, what’s next?

SCROLL DOWN TO READ ARTICLE

Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman made his second rehab outing of the season Friday night, pitching 3 1/3 innings and allowing two runs, one earned, at High-A Frederick.

Gausman, who began the year on the disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis, allowed four hits, two walks and struck out eight against the Lynchburg Hillcats, a Cleveland Indians affiliate.

The Orioles had been hoping he could complete five innings or throw as many as 90 pitches, but he didn’t quite get there.

Now the question is what is next for the 25-year-old right-hander?

CONTINUE READING BELOW

He was tentatively scheduled to re-join the Orioles and potentially start Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays at Camden Yards.

That’s not a good matchup for anyone, especially someone making his season debut. Orioles manager Buck Showalter and his staff will discuss their options, but it would be surprising if Gausman didn’t get at least one more minor-league rehab start before returning to the majors.

Gausman dealt with shoulder discomfort last May and he said it took him a while last year to really feel confident and comfortable on the mound. So the Orioles likely will err on the side of caution and make sure he is healthy and effective before placing him in the big league rotation. The plan, since last year ended, was to make sure that once Gausman was starting in the majors, he could stay for there for the remainder of the year.

The Orioles also have enough starting rotation candidates in the majors right now that they don’t have to rush Gausman back.

Gausman isn’t the only Oriole who pitched Friday for the Keys. Lefty reliever Brian Matusz (intercostal strain) threw three innings, allowing two hits and one earned run — on a solo homer — while striking out three. It was a much better performance than his Monday outing, in which he allowed six earned runs in one inning for Double-A Bowie.

CONTINUE READING BELOW

Matusz appears to be closing in on his return to the majors.

No matter what happens, both Gausman and Matusz at least had a unique experience in Frederick, getting the opportunity to wear lime green jerseys. It was part of “Be Seen in Green” night, a “Keys For Life” fundraiser with the players’ jerseys being auctioned for charity.

Dan Connolly

Dan Connolly has spent more than two decades as a print journalist in Pennsylvania and Maryland. The Baltimore native and Calvert Hall graduate first covered the Orioles as a beat writer for the York (Pennsylvania) Daily Record in 2001 before becoming The Baltimore Sun’s national baseball writer/Orioles reporter in 2005. He has won multiple state and national writing awards, including several from the Associated Press Sports Editors. In 2013 he was named Maryland Co-Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. And in 2015, he authored his first book, "100 Things Orioles Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die." He lives in York, with his wife, Karen, and three children, Alex, Annie, and Grace.

View Comments

Share
Published by
Dan Connolly

Recent Posts

  • Rich Dubroff

Orioles’ Suárez uncertain of his return; Bradish, Kittredge throw 1st side sessions

BALTIMORE—Relief pitcher Albert Suárez was moved from the 15-day to 60-day injured list with a…

April 12, 2025
  • Rich Dubroff

Early-season Oriole stats to ponder

After two days off, one scheduled and the first postponement of the season, the Orioles…

April 12, 2025
  • Orioles

Friday’s Orioles-Blue Jays game postponed by rain, to be made up July 29th

Friday night’s game between the Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays has been postponed because of…

April 11, 2025
  • Mailbag

What must Coby Mayo do to rejoin Orioles? | MAILBAG

Question: Barring an injury to the Orioles' infield, what do you think would have to…

April 11, 2025
  • Peter Schmuck

Peter Schmuck: The Orioles are not helping me sleep at night

Damn right I’m worried. It’s easy to look at the schedule and say it’s only…

April 11, 2025