The Maryland Sports Blog

The Baltimore Orioles are calling up top prospect Kevin Gausman to make Thursdays start against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to multiple sources.  Gausman has spent all season at AA Bowie where he has posted a 3.11 era.

I said before that the Orioles had to be close to calling up Gausman as some reports said that he was one of the best pitchers in the organization despite his inexperience.  Gausman has great stuff he hits the high 90′s with his fastball.

The only concern I have with Gausman is if he can go deep into ball games which the Orioles need at this point.

The Orioles starting rotation has been shaky with injuries and ineffective starters.  Chris Tillman has been the Orioles best starter all season.

Wei-Yin Chen has been hurt and Miguel Gonzalez just returned from a blister that has effected his performance all season.  Freddy Garcia has been decent at times but has a pitch count that limits him to about 80 pitches, which is very low compared to most starters.  Jason Hammel has been the Orioles biggest disappointment this year posting a 5.72 era.

Gausman could give the Orioles a big boost like Manny Machado did last season.  Gausman will be monitored carefully but he has ace stuff.

The Baltimore Orioles are going through starting pitchers quickly. With the fifth stop being held by Freddy Garcia and Wei-Yin Chen and Miguel Gonzalez hurt the starting rotation needs arms. It looks like Jair Jurrijens will start for the Orioles Saturday according to this tweet by Ken Rosenthal.

Sources: Jurrjens will make #Orioles debut Saturday against #Rays. 3.14 ERA in 8 starts at AAA, 36 Ks, 15 BBs, 2 HRs allowed in 51 2/3 IP.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 14, 2013

Jurrijens is has pitched well for the Norfolk Tides this season but had a bad start last night. Still he maybe the best option right now. Jake Arrieta has pitched better but has a minor injury.

The Orioles seem to be closer to pushing Kevin Gausman who has a 3.35 era for the Bowie Baysox. Gausman is the Orioles top pitching prospect and is an extremely talented pitcher.

Jurrijens has been a very successful major league pitcher in the past when he pitched for the Atlanta Braves, he was a former All-Star.  Injuries have hurt Jurrijens more than anything but if he has decent stuff he can be successful again.

As expected Chen will go on the DL.  Here are the two new Orioles according to this tweet from Dan Connolly.

Yamaico Navarro and Alex Burnett are the callups.

— Dan Connolly (@danconnollysun) May 14, 2013

Burnett has been up with the Orioles this season.  Navarro has not he is an infielder who will  provide depth.

This comes as no surprise but the Baltimore Orioles option Jake Arrieta to AAA Norfolk.  Arrieta has had his ups and downs at the major league level and has not been consistent.

Arrieta’s main trouble has been his walks which have doomed him.  Some innings he shows great command other innings he simply can not throw strikes.  He has had five walks in his past two starts.

Here is a tweet from Brittany Ghiroli about the move.

Jake Arrieta has been optioned to Triple A. Will continue as a starter down there. Obv the big issue isn’t stuff of mechanics but the walks.

— Brittany Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) April 22, 2013

The Baltimore Orioles have traded reliever Luis Ayala to the Atlanta Braves for minor league pitcher Chris Jones.  Ayala was a big part of the Orioles bullpen last season being used in several different roles and posting a 2.64 era.  Ayala was a popular teammate.

The Orioles are deep with pitchers but they have not settled in yet and have struggled.  Ayala had a 9.00 era to start the season but this early in the season era’s can be bloated.  Here is the tweet from the Orioles confirming the move.

The Orioles have traded RHP Luis Ayala to Atlanta in exchange for minor league LHP Chris Jones. Jones will be assigned to AA Bowie.

— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 10, 2013

The Orioles are also recalling Chris Dickerson, more corresponding moves seem to be coming.  The Orioles have not had luck with a DH so far this season and Dickerson could be that DH.

The Baltimore Orioles have sent their top pitching prospect Kevin Gausman to AA Bowie. Gausman was not expected to make the Orioles opening day roster but had a really good spring.

I would not be surprised if Gausman is called up sooner rather than later. The Orioles have shown that they are willing to let young talent play in the majors, Manny Machado was proof of that.

Here is a tweet from Dan Connolly confirming the move.

Gausman sent out. Goes to AA Bowie w Bundy

— Dan Connolly (@danconnollysun) March 27, 2013