Pregame notes on Matusz, Gausman, Alvarez and more

ARLINGTON, Texas - Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz will make another rehab appearance at Single-A Frederick following last night's three-inning stint at Harry Grove Stadium.

Matusz is expected to pitch on Tuesday and work three to four innings if he's able. He allowed one run last night, on a solo home run, over three innings.

The Orioles could activate Matusz next weekend while they're in Kansas City. His rehab assignment runs through Wednesday.

"He was better last night," said manager Buck Showalter.

Showalter has a plan for Kevin Gausman, who started last night for Frederick and worked 3 1/3 innings, but he won't reveal it before the right-hander takes a work day Sunday at Globe Life Park.

"He actually feels as good as he's felt in a long time, he said, after a start," Showalter said. "I've got a pretty good (idea) about what we're going to do."

Gausman threw 74 pitches, a total that didn't thrill Showalter.

"I'd like to have seen a little bit better use of those pitches," he said. "But I was glad that he was healthy and he struck out eight guys in 3 1/3."

Jimmy Paredes remains scheduled to play Monday in an extended spring training game. Showalter said Paredes will play the outfield.

Showalter had some difficult decisions to make while writing out his lineup. He wanted to get Pedro Alvarez in the game tonight with only one right-hander scheduled to start for the Rangers. Mark Trumbo returned to right field after serving as the DH in the first two games, and Adam Jones remains in center field.

"That's a good thing. We've got everybody in the flow," Showalter said. "I'd like to get Kim back out there. I don't have 12 spots. We won't have that issue all year. I hope we do."

Showalter was tempted to play Hyun Soo Kim for the same reason that Alvarez is in the lineup, but he stayed with Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard in left. Nolan Reimold sits after collecting two doubles on Thursday and hitting a home run in the seventh inning last night that broke a 5-5 tie.

It's a potent lineup when Alvarez bats eighth and Jonathan Schoop, who homered twice last night, bats ninth.

"I thought about putting Joey back down there, but it's kind of worked good up there," Showalter said. "You're trying to create as few breathing spots as you can. We have a lot of guys that are capable of hitting in a lot of different places in the lineup, most of them up higher.

"In the past, a lot of times I started doing the batting order from the bottom up, and I haven't been able to do that with this club yet. Usually, you might have a couple things at the top and then you say, 'Well, let me start at the bottom and work my way up.' This one I haven't been able to do that. There aren't many absolutes there. And the guys don't have any ego about where they hit or anything because they couldn't care less."

Alvarez is 3-for-21 with a double, six walks and five strikeouts in seven games.

"I love the person," Showalter said. "He's been a great fit. Works hard. He got a little bit of a late start in the spring, but he's had some good at-bats here lately. I think he's going to be a contributor. You've got to trust the track record. He's been a pretty good offensive performer for a while.

"He's going to have to play some first base, third base. He's going to have to play some defense at some point this year, and that's one thing I wish I could get him out there for. But he fits well with us. His personality. He's got a lot more comfortable. You can tell he's kind of relaxed a little bit. He was trying to be early in the spring ...

"The first time a guy's ever changed organizations, it's different for him. We've learned from him, tried to make his path a little easier, but that was an easy transition. If anything, he's trying too hard to fit in. It's going to fit in naturally for him. He's good people. Smart. Real smart. And not just book smart."

Showalter sent video to his four full-season minor league managers of recent plays made with J.J. Hardy covering third base and getting outs on throws from Schoop and Manny Machado - the latter occurring last night after Machado charged a slow roller, spun and fired to Hardy.

He wants the managers to show the infielders and ask where they'd be on those plays.

"This is the attention to things you have to be able to do," Showalter said. "J.J. may be the only guy in baseball who would have done that."

Asked how he reacts to plays like that, Showalter said, "Proud. That's what it is. It's a great feeling.

"We were in here almost laughing about it because it's just so unusual. I wanted to go, 'Do you all understand what just happened here?' That's worth paying money to come in and watch, that someone can be that proactive instead of being reactive to a play after it happens."

The parents and young sister of Orioles minor league outfielder Jaylen Ferguson visited with Showalter during batting practice. Showalter's son, Nathan, is a scout in the organization and recommended that the Orioles take Ferguson, which they did last year in the ninth round out of Arlington (Texas) High School.

Showalter invited the parents onto the field and lifted their young daughter over the railing. They later "face-timed" with Jaylen.

The forecasts for Sunday and Monday include heavy rain. The Orioles are supposed to fly home Sunday evening, but could be facing a postponement. Both teams are off Monday, though it may not matter.

"I have lived in Texas," Showalter said. "Trying to predict the weather here ... Take it one day at a time. But I'm looking at the same thing you all are looking at.

"I know we're not playing Monday here."

Buck Showalter with the parents and young sister of O's minor league outfielder Jaylen Ferguson.