Orioles getting ready to make roster moves

The Orioles embark on their second road trip of the season and are another day away from their first roster move.

They're going to make it through 15 games and two postponements, destroying another Baltimore tradition.

First Natty Boh and now a stagnant roster.

Reliever Brian Matusz is expected to come off the disabled list on Saturday while the Orioles are in the middle of their three-game series in Kansas City. Kevin Gausman is expected to be activated on Monday when the Orioles begin a three-game series in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Two pitchers will be given their walking papers. Or travel forms. Probably travel forms that include a flight or permission to drive.

Don't make them walk. That just seems cruel.

The Orioles can go in many directions while sending pitchers to their Triple-A affiliate. T.J. McFarland, Tyler Wilson, Mychal Givens and Mike Wright have options.

Four pitchers with options? Bullpen flexibility? Another tradition bites the dust.

Wright is in the rotation and due to start Sunday afternoon. He wouldn't be the corresponding move for Matusz unless something unexpected happens.

Whether he's safe on Monday is another matter. He's got to be included in the speculation because Gausman needs a spot in the rotation.

Who knows whether Wright is pitching for his job? He probably has felt that way since he first stepped on a mound in spring training.

Manager Buck Showalter likes McFarland and really likes having a left-handed long man backing up the five right-handed starters. Matusz is stretched out but still mostly seen as a situational lefty.

Givens has already made eight appearances and he's allowed four runs (three earned) and 10 hits in 7 2/3 innings. He's walked four batters, but also struck out 14.

It could be argued that he's expendable in a bullpen that includes right-handers Darren O'Day, Brad Brach and Dylan Bundy. He may seem redundent. But the Orioles haven't forgotten his contributions last summer.

Wilson has appeared in only three games and certainly would benefit from pitching every five days with Norfolk. Stretch him out. Get him ready in case a spot opens in the Orioles' rotation. But he's allowed only one run in eight innings this month and has proven that he belongs.

Life isn't always fair.

Vance Worley is expected to start Saturday night. He warmed up in the 10th inning Wednesday night and wasn't needed. He began to loosen last night as Chris Tillman labored in the first inning, but sat down after the final out.

Worley's out of options, but he could vacate the rotation and take a bullpen spot, enabling the Orioles to keep him in the organization. That's one possibility.

This is a good problem to have, but it's a problem nonetheless.