Hays on "unbelievable" rise to the majors, and other notes

Kevin Gausman will remain the Orioles starter Thursday afternoon as they close out their series against the Yankees, the weather creating the first home postponement of the season.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said outfielder Austin Hays will get a chance to play at some point after last year's third-round draft pick had his contract selected yesterday from Double-A Bowie.

Hays would have been getting his at-bats in the Eastern League playoffs, which are scheduled to begin tonight if the weather permits. But the Orioles wanted him in Baltimore.

"Our No. 1 desire is for the Baltimore Orioles to get in the playoffs," Showalter said. "If you ask him what he's rather be doing, you know the answer. If he had been here the last three days he might have started with the three left-handers. Now, we've got a pretty long stretch ... But he can hit right-handers, too, so we'll see. He'll get an opportunity somewhere along the line. It'll crop up.

"He was in the game yesterday if certain things happened. But it allows us to use Joey (Rickard) in a way that we'd like to use him."

Rickard is more suited to be a late-inning pinch-runner, which could put Hays in right field against left-handers. Showalter has wanted speed coming off the bench.

"There's a trust factor," Showalter said. "If we had a left-handed pitcher, I'd rather have Joey coming off the bench instead of having to start. We don't have any options on the bench when Joey plays right field. We have options, but they're not as good as we need them to be."

The Orioles believe that Hays has the skills defensively to be trusted in the outfield.

"Saw him a little bit in the spring," Showalter said. "The one thing I would caution myself is when guys first come up here there's a different depth perception. The first time you've had that third deck. There's a lot more from the background, seeing people in the stands, so there's usually an adjustment period with that. I know Trey (Mancini) went through it a little early on. So did Joey Rickard. They talked about it. So early on, I try not to take it too deep.

"You see a lot of guys improve. But all indications are he's going to be a good defender and throw well."

The Orioles needed another outfielder while Craig Gentry is on the 10-day disabled list with a fractured right middle finger.

"I would think that played a part in it," Showalter said. "We're still going to need at least one or two more (40-man) roster spots. I'm not sure where they're coming from."

Baysox manager Gary Kendall informed Hays yesterday of the promotion.

"It was coming up toward the end and I was figuring it might be a possibility, but it was very exciting to hear the news," Hays said. "My girlfriend was right next to me, so obviously I told her first because she was right there. And then I'd say the first person I called was my mom, just to tell her it's a dream come true."

It's been a swift and spectacular rise for Hays, who played last summer at short-season Single-A Aberdeen.

"It's been unbelievable," he said. "This first full season has gone by unbelievably fast and then to see where I'm standing right now is just incredible. It's a dream come true."

Asked how he might be used, Hays said, "I think I have some speed, so possibly in a pinch-running situation. I feel like I play pretty good defense, so maybe a defensive situation. Or if they need my bat in the lineup, I'm ready to be in the lineup, too. So any situation they need me."

Left-hander Jayson Aquino was designated for assignment yesterday to make room for Hays. He made a solid impression in spring training, but couldn't hold his roster spot.

"I hope he clears and he's back with us," Showalter said. "Probably not a bullpen guy because of the changeup. He has to go around the order for the changeup to play. I think he's been with, what, five clubs? So there's obviously some precedent there. You kind of look at things statistically, too, and see how it's going to present itself to other teams who are looking.

"Who knows what's going to happen with Aquino? He got claimed by three teams in two days last year. We'll see. I know Dan (Duquette) was considering three or four guys. We were talking about it.

"He's out of options next spring, which means he had to make your team as a starter or he left anyway. Sometimes, the timing of when to put them on waivers is important, too, because it's hard for teams to add players right now. Most teams are at 40."

Today marks the 22-year anniversary of Cal Ripken Jr. playing in his 2,131st consecutive game to set the major league record. Do today's players appreciate The Streak?

"I know our guys do, the guys that have played 155-162 games. I've heard them say, 'Are you kidding me? Doing this for how many years?' " Showalter said.

"How many years was it? Eighteen years of 162 games? Really? Come on, man. There's one that might not be broken. What do you think?

"The guys that are fortunate enough to play 162 games in a season, as soon as they get through they say, 'Cal's record is safe.' Trust me. That's amazing."