Are you worried about Bud Norris?
That’s OK. So am I.
Bud finished the 2015 spring with a 9.26 ERA over 11.2 innings. Simply put, he got rocked. I saw it firsthand when I was in Sarasota for the Orioles vs Red Sox game on March 7 and found myself shaking my head as four Sox crossed home plate in Bud’s inning of work. He surrendered an RBI triple to former Oriole Jemile Weeks and later in the inning a three-run shot to Blake Swihart.
In his season debut at the Orioles’ home opener on Friday afternoon, Bud was just as bad, if not worse, surrendering eight runs in three-plus innings. After loading the bases with nobody out in the fourth, he gave way to Brad Brach who allowed all three inherited runners to score.
Bud is one of my favorite players on the team. His fan interaction is unlike most athletes and his work ethic is second to none. He went 15-8 with a 3.65 ERA last season and turned in a brilliant, two-hit outing in series-clinching game three of the ALDS in Detroit. He struggled in his ALCS start but I think we can agree that it was a bad series for all of us.
That said, his 2015 thus far is a bit unnerving. Maybe something is bothering him that we do not know about. Perhaps he just does not feel like himself. Whatever the issue, it concerns me. Again, we should let the season play out a bit before overreacting, though I must admit I am worried.
On the other side of the spectrum, Kevin Gausman has found himself in limbo once again. As he starts the season in the bullpen, we are left with questions as far as his usage down the road. The Orioles will continue to monitor his innings and hopefully get him some good work out of the ‘pen.
Most Orioles fans, including myself, would much rather see Gausman get the ball every fifth day. With Ubaldo’s early success and Bud’s struggles, perhaps we will see Gaus knock Bud out of the rotation in the coming weeks. Bud is making $8.8 million this season, though, which might make that decision a bit difficult for Buck and the front office.
Another possibility is that we could see Gausman sent back down to AAA Norfolk with a chance to be in their starting rotation. He does have an option remaining. Although not ideal, this would be an opportunity for Gausman to get consistent work as we wait for a rotation spot to open for him in Baltimore.
I would love to see Bud turn things around and pitch like he did last season. Time will tell, but he certainly has the veteran ability to make adjustments.
