Orioles manager Buck Showalter said before Thursday's doubleheader that right-hander Kevin Gausman (shoulder) is being ticketed to pitch three innings or 45 pitches in a minor league game June 6. It would be his first time he has pitched in a real game since being placed on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis May 8.
The plan, Showalter said, is for the 24-year-old right-hander to throw to hitters Friday at Camden Yards, throw a side session Sunday and then throw two simulated innings Tuesday while with the team in Houston. If all that goes well, Gausman will throw three innings June 6 and four innings June 11 in minor league games -- likely for Triple-A Norfolk. He'll then be re-evaluated to determine the next step.
Showalter said it wouldn't be considered a minor league rehabilitation assignment. Since Gausman already has used his option for 2015, he can just be optioned from the DL to the minors.
In other Orioles news:
** Brian Matusz's appeal hearing for his eight-game suspension (using a foreign substance) will be on June 3. He is hoping to get it reduced and the Orioles believe his case is different from the one involving Milwaukee's Will Smith, who also was ejected for having sunscreen and rosin on his non-throwing arm. Matusz was ejected in the 12th inning of the Orioles' eventual 13-inning loss to the Miami Marlins on Saturday.
** Showalter said before the game that the Orioles needed to keep some options open because of the health of one of their pitchers. He said he would know more later Thursday. Wei-Yin Chen's spot in the rotation for Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays is currently listed as TBA.
** The Orioles have not made a decision whether Bud Norris (bronchitis) will make another minor league rehab start or be activated from the DL. He allowed four runs in five innings Wednesday for Double-A Bowie, but Showalter said his first three innings were particularly strong.
** The club has a pitcher ready to go for Game 2 if reinforcements are needed. Showalter wouldn't say who the pitcher was.