Yesterday the Baltimore Orioles swept a double header against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
That’s the good news.
The bad news is that in doing so, they completely taxed their bullpen, as manager Buck Showalter used five relievers in the first game, and six in the second. Brian Matusz (0.2 IP game 1, 0.2 IP game 2), Ryan Webb (1.0, 1.0), Darren O’Day (0.2, 1.2), and Tommy Hunter (0.1, 0.2) all pitched in both games. In addition, Zach Britton threw an inning in game 1, while in game 2 Evan Meek pitched an inning and Troy Patton pitched 0.1.
All of that leads to a very tired bullpen heading into this weekend’s series in Minnesota.
While I was left scratching my head at several of Buck’s bullpen decisions – especially in the first game, when the team had a decent lead – I’ll trust that Buck knows more about these things than I do.
However, the team still needs another arm. The logical choice would have seemed to be Kevin Gausman. Unfortunately, that’s not going to be the case, as after the games Buck revealed that “Gas Man” is a bit hobbled:
Kevin Gausman not option for tomorrow. Will be scratched from start at Norfolk. Intercostal injury
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) May 2, 2014
Gausman had an X-ray which apparently revealed the intercostal strain. Could end up on minor league disabled list. #orioles
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) May 2, 2014
With Gausman out of the question, other candidates to come up included Preston Guilmet, Suk-min Yoon, Tim Berry, and Brad Brach.
Evan Meek was optioned last night, with the O’s eventually settling on Brach to replace him.
While #orioles decide whether Kevin Gausman goes on minor league DL w/intercostal (likely), RHP Brad Brach is meeting them in Minnesota.
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) May 2, 2014
Brach has been tough to figure out down in Norfolk, where he strikes out a ton of guys (25 Ks in 12.0 IP), but also gives up a lot of hits (17 in 12.0 IP).
So what happened to Gausman? Dan Duquette was on 105.7 in Baltimore and revealed that it was a bit of a freak accident that bit the O’s young fireballer:
Duquette on Gausman on 105.7 FM: "Evidently he had some congestion issues & he's been diagnosed with a strain from the coughing he had."
— Steve Melewski (@masnSteve) May 2, 2014
Yup. Gausman hurt himself coughing too hard.
Hopefully it’s just a quick-healing injury for Gausman, who has been scratched from his start at AAA Norfolk tonight.
Gausman will be pitching for Baltimore soon. Just not right now. Because he coughed too hard.
