After sweeping a Thursday doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates in which four relievers pitched in both games, the Orioles will bring a new bullpen arm to Minnesota on Friday.
However, it won’t be top pitching prospect Kevin Gausman as manager Buck Showalter revealed the right-hander will be scratched from Friday’s start for Triple-A Norfolk due to an intercostal strain. The 23-year-old could be going to the minor league disabled list while the Orioles will look elsewhere for fresh bullpen help for a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins.
Right-hander Evan Meek was optioned to Norfolk following the second game of the doubleheader, but a corresponding roster move wasn’t immediately announced.
Bullpen options to be considered include Norfolk’s Preston Guilmet and Suk-min Yoon and Double-A Bowie’s Tim Berry since all three pitchers are already on the 40-man roster. But it’s possible the Orioles could select the contract of a pitcher who isn’t currently on the 40-man roster, according to Showalter.
“We’re talking about it. Contemplating who and what,” Showalter said. “Gausman was scheduled to pitch [Friday], but he’s got an injury right now and it looks like he’s going to be scratched from his start [Friday]. I was looking during the game at who had pitched in that game tonight and their history. We carry a card around with all the Double-A and Triple-A pitching, so there are three or four options there if we need and then you have to talk about how. We’ll see.”
