Kevin Gausman updates his comeback and Darren O'Day talks bullpen depth

His scheduled start at Double-A Bowie tonight has been rained out, so right-hander Kevin Gausman is now expected to pitch at Bowie tomorrow afternoon at 2:05 p.m. and then at Single-A Frederick on Friday as he works his way back to the Orioles rotation.

Gausman received a cortisone injection in his right shoulder on March 20 and has been engaged in a throwing program. He threw a two-inning simulated game in Florida on Wednesday, and that sets him up to go about three innings and around 45 pitches at Prince George's Stadium for the Baysox on Sunday.

"I feel good," Gausman said this afternoon in the Orioles clubhouse. "My delivery feels great, everything feels great. My bullpens down in Sarasota went great. I think the biggest question mark is going to be when I sit down between innings and get back up. You sit and get up five times, that is a big test for a pitcher. Hopefully, it reacts good and I'm still on track for when I am supposed to come back."

Wednesday's return to the mound went well for Gausman in Florida.

"It was a simulated game. Just facing some hitters in extended spring. There were about 20 guys around the cage fighting to get in there," he said.

The Orioles had targeted April 19 as the date Gausman could make his 2016 debut. Now, with his Bowie start pushed back a day, that date is likely April 20 against Toronto.

Meanwhile, O's pitching has been outstanding through a 4-0 start. The team ERA of 1.50 leads the American League, as does the O's rotation ERA of 1.42. The bullpen ERA is 1.59 to rank fifth in the AL.

T.J. McFarland gave the Orioles an important outing of three scoreless innings in last night's win. Today, reliever Darren O'Day talked about the depth of the O's bullpen where some pitchers like McFarland and Brad Brach, who don't always get in the limelight, have done well so far.

"What T.J. did yesterday helped us out a lot," O'Day said. "The end of the game, guys had a lot of work the first two or three games. That is so important. T.J. being left-handed and a groundball guy. He was awesome.

"I think Brad has as good of a three-pitch mix as anybody in the league. Brad is not even at the back end of the 'pen. We are really excited about our bullpen."

O'Day said he's seen Brach improve his game over his three seasons with the club.

"He kind of made some little mechanical changes, just kind of freed him up," O'Day said. "Started throwing a little harder and obviously he's got a great changeup, and I think his slider is just as good. He has really learned to attack the strike zone with those three really good pitches. He's really learned how to use his changeup. He's got a lot of weapons and has learned how to use them."

As for himself, O'Day struck out the side in the ninth on Thursday night to get the save. He pitched in the first three games, one scoreless inning each game. He has six strikeouts in three innings.

"The first outing of the year for me is the toughest one," O'Day said. "You just want to get off to a good start. Not easy pitching in the cold, so I was just happy to get off to a good start. The challenge (in cold weather) is getting loose. The position players, they run before the game and are moving around the whole night. We're sitting, so it is upon (us) to stay loose and stay stretched."