An already-difficult road trip for the Orioles turned worse Friday afternoon with right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman being placed on the disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis.
The 24-year-old warmed up briefly during Thursday night’s loss to the New York Yankees before Tommy Hunter ultimately replaced Chris Tillman in a 4-3 loss. Gausman last pitched on Wednesday, his only appearance since April 29.
According to multiple reports from New York, Gausman was given an anti-inflammatory on Thursday and could be ready to pitch in a rehab assignment before the 15-day period expires. He has reportedly been dealing with discomfort for about a week, but there was hope he would be able to pitch through it.
The 2012 first-round pick is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in 12 innings this year.
Many have questioned the Orioles’ use of Gausman in the bullpen after he went 7-7 with a 3.57 ERA in 20 starts last season, but the power right-hander pitched brilliantly in relief during the 2014 postseason, posting a 1.13 ERA in eight innings of work. Of course, it’s impossible to know what role — if any — a different work schedule as a reliever might have played in the injury.
Lefty T.J. McFarland was summoned from Triple-A Norfolk to New York before the second game of a four-game set against the Yankees.
As expected, the Orioles activated infielder Ryan Flaherty and backup infielder Rey Navarro was optioned back to Triple-A Norfolk.
