Notes on Matusz, Chen, Gausman, Norris and more

Left-hander Brian Matusz's hearing on his appeal of an eight-game suspension will be held on June 3 while the Orioles are in Houston.

Matusz was ejected on Saturday night in Miami and later suspended for having a foreign substance on his right forearm.

The Orioles can't replace Matusz on the roster if he serves a suspension.

The Orioles are listing two of their three starters for the weekend series against the Rays at Camden Yards. Miguel Gonzalez will oppose Nathan Karns on Friday and Chris Tillman will oppose Jake Odorizzi on Saturday.

Wei-Yin Chen's next turn is Saturday, but the Orioles have the starter listed as TBD. They want to see how Chen makes it through today's bullpen session before commiting to him.

Chen apparently is dealing with some type of soreness and could be pushed back. We'll receive an update following Game 1 of today's doubleheader.

Erasmo Ramirez is starting Saturday for the Rays.

Kevin Gausman is expected to be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk and make starts on June 6 and 11. He's supposed to work three innings or throw 45 pitches in his first start and be extended to four innings in his next outing.

This wouldn't count as an injury rehab assignment. Gausman would be activated from the disabled list and optioned.

Gausman will face hitters on Friday, throw a bullpen session on Sunday and pitch a two-inning simulated game Tuesday in Houston.

Showalter said the Orioles haven't made a decision on Bud Norris. He wants to talk to the right-hander before mapping out a plan.

Norris, recovering from bronchitis, allowed four runs in five innings last night at Double-A Bowie. He shut out Erie through the third before beginning to tire.

Showalter also must decide on Norris' immediate role after being activated from the disabled list. Norris could return to the rotation or be assigned, at least temporarily, to the bullpen.

The Orioles are prepared to bring up a reliever following Game 1 today if Showalter is forced to dig deep into his bullpen. The reliever wouldn't replace starter Tyler Wilson, who must remain on the roster for both ends of the doubleheader.

T.J. McFarland isn't a consideration because he hasn't been down for the minimum 10 days.

Showalter said he hasn't seen his garden gnome that the Orioles are giving away on June 27 to the first 25,000 fans 15 and older, and he has absolutely no interest in it. He can't imagine why anyone would come to the ballpark for it. Meanwhile, I expect the lines at the gates to be extremely long.