CLEVELAND — Orioles right-hander Bud Norris will make his first start coming off the disabled list Sunday following a bout with bronchitis that has kept him out of the rotation for nearly a month.
Norris, who will be activated to make his first start since May 10, threw four scoreless, hitless innings for Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, his last of three minor league rehabilitation starts.
Norris lost about 13 pounds from his typical pitching weight during his illness, so he said that he needed three starts to get his strength back.
"I really didn't know how much of a toll it took on me those first couple days," Norris said. "I was champing at the bit just to get back on the field, but I realized how low I got and people just talking to me and seeing my body and seeing how skinny I really was. So when I went out there for my first start in Norfolk, I threw three innings, but I fell flat in that third inning. I just felt like my legs weren't there. I had nothing there. Throwing fastballs at like 90, that's not how I pitch."
Norris said his biggest obstacle was working to get his weight back to where it needed to be. At his lightest, Norris weighed 202 pounds and typically pitches in the 215-220 range. During his days with the Houston Astros, he pitched at 225-230 pounds.
"Usually I've been a bigger guy, a harder thrower, and you have to have your legs," Norris said. "It's such a fine line with our bodies and our torque and timing and everything, so I have to have my legs from under me to be a big league starter.
"When I got sick I just lost my eating habits. I would just look at food and I didn't have an appetite, so I wasn't eating enough to begin with. … Once I got the antibiotic and got the cold out of my system, I got my eating habits back. I could eat chicken noodle soup, but I could have so much. I felt full real quick. My body was going through some [stuff]. I'm glad it's done."
Norris said the time off also allowed him to work on his mechanics. After winning a career-high 15 games last season, Norris struggled this season before the illness, going 1-4 with a 9.88 ERA in six starts. He went more than five innings just twice.
"I'm excited," Norris said. "I feel like my mechanics could have used some work and I got a lot of work out of it, so I feel like I got my [arm] slot a little bit more. So I'm excited to pick up here and go."
Cabral ready to contribute
Left-hander Cesar Cabral, who joined the team Friday to replace suspended left-hander Brian Matusz as the third lefty in the bullpen, credits his strong season in the minors to working with well-known pitching coach Chiqui Mejia in the Dominican Republic during the offseason.
Mejia also mentors New York Yankees set-up man Dellin Betances and Tampa Bay Rays reliever Joel Peralta, who have both credited Mejia for their big league success.
"I worked on my mechanics, the strike zone, we pitched a lot of games there," Cabral said. "That's why I feel more comfortable."
The 26-year-old Cabral did not allow a run in 21 2/3 innings at Norfolk and Double-A Bowie, permitting 14 hits while striking out 25 and walking four.
"I feel happy about the call-up," Cabral said. "I know I did a good job in Triple-A. … I was working hard. Every time they gave me a chance to pitch, I tried to make my pitch and attack the zone."
Cabral, who signed with the Orioles during spring training but didn't receive an invitation to major league camp, pitched 12 games with the Yankees from 2013 to 2014, pitching to a 7.71 ERA.
"I played in the big league with the Yankees and that was a good experience for me, but I'm ready to help the team now," Cabral said. "I know they're going to use me because I know they only have two lefties right now, so I'm ready. They signed me a little late. They told me they didn't have a spot for me in big league camp, but I believe in myself. I knew what I can do. We're here now."
Matusz staying active during suspension
Matusz, serving the second game of his eight-game suspension, threw two innings in an extended spring training game Saturday. Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he struck out six batters.
"Brady [Anderson] said that was about as good as he's seen him throw the ball," Showalter said. "That went well today. I'm glad Brian got down there."
Matusz, whose suspension was upheld Friday following his appeal, is eligible to return to the team next Sunday.
Gausman makes first minor league start
On Saturday, right-hander Kevin Gausman made his first minor league start since going on the DL with right shoulder tendinitis. He's scheduled to throw three innings (or 45 pitches) for Single-A Frederick at Wilmington.
Showalter will pitch four innings in his next start as he builds his innings to be an option for the big league rotation after starting this season in the bullpen.
"We could take him after two [starts], but it's probably going to be three to be an option if we need it," Showalter said. "He won some games for us this year out of the 'pen and he did last year when he started. He came back as not only a better starter but a better reliever, but also we're going to manage his innings a little, but not much. His innings are fine [right now]. I'm trying to put him in a position to be a starter for us next year."
Around the horn
San Francisco 49ers football players Colin Kaepernick and Torrey Smith, a former Ravens and Maryland wide receiver, visited the Orioles clubhouse before Saturday's game. They were in town to participate in Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden's celebrity softball game later that day. … Left-handed reliever Wesley Wright pitched an inning in an extending spring game Saturday. Showalter said Wright will likely throw one more outing before he becomes an option to go on a minor league rehab assignment. … Knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa had one of his best outings at Norfolk on Friday, throwing six scoreless innings and allowing two hits while striking out five and walking one. Right-hander Dane De La Rosa made his first appearance back from meniscus surgery last September, throwing a scoreless inning in the same game. He allowed no hits, struck out two and walked one. Also on Friday, reliever Jorge Rondon's fastball was clocked at 96-98 mph.
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