Tyler Wilson finishes strong in latest spring outing (plus more notes)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tyler Wilson, making his third spring start today, retired the last seven batters he faced while trying to state his case for inclusion in the Orioles rotation.

Wilson was pulled after only three innings. He allowed one run and two hits, walked none and struck out none. The former University of Virginia right-hander threw 43 pitches, 30 for strikes.

Wilson retired the first two batters of the game on ground balls to first baseman Chris Davis, and Danny Ortiz made the final out in the same fashion. However, Matt Joyce homered and Michael Morse doubled to right field.

Wilson needed eight pitches to get the first two outs, but he finished the inning with 29.

It took only six pitches for Wilson to get back in the dugout in the second. Chris Davis fielded another ground ball, this one from Chase Simpson, to end the frame. Simpson was a late addition to the lineup, with third baseman Jason Roger scratched due to illness.

Wilson was hit on the left arm by Chris Stewart's comebacker in the second, but he indicated to head athletic trainer Richie Bancells that the ball deflected off his glove.

Wilson threw eight pitches in the third while again retiring the side in order. Left-hander T.J. McFarland replaced him.

This was the sixth spring outing for Wilson, including the two innings he tossed Sunday at the minor league complex. In Grapefruit League games, he's allowed five runs and 13 hits in 12 1/3 innings.

The Orioles were counted among the teams attending veteran right-hander Kyle Lohse's recent "showcase," according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. They've held previous interest in Lohse, who went 5-13 with a 5.85 ERA in 37 games, including 22 starts, last season with the Brewers.

Lohse, 37, is represented by Scott Boras. He'd make sense on a minor league deal as the Orioles continue their search for more pitching to improve their depth.

Manager Buck Showalter was asked today whether he could withhold setting up his rotation until the end of spring training. Of course, he needs to find out whether Kevin Gausman is breaking camp with the team or going on the disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis.

"We'd always like to have it decided before then, but we're not going to get forced into a decision if there's more looks and more things to think about," Showalter said. "Especially with the last week of spring coming about when everybody's making their cuts and decisions and you see what's out there and what's available. There's a lot of factors that play into it. But if we had to right now we could make a decision, but we don't have to.

"I'd say by the 30th we'd have an idea. I will say this, the 27th is when we've got to start kind of going back from opening day. Today's the 24th, so by Sunday we've got to kind of set up the first couple days for sure. And there's a good chance we'll be leaving some people back here because there's so much time off between the time we go to Philly (on April 1) and the third and fourth starts."

Matt Wieters threw from 120 feet today, but his return to catching remains up in the air. He won't appear in another Grapefruit League game unless the Orioles are convinced that he can avoid the disabled list. Otherwise, his assignment can't be backdated to March 25.

What's next for Wieters after today's throwing session? How about throwing to bases?

"Probably," Showalter said. "That sounds right in my mind, but I'll leave that in Richie and John (Russell's) hands. And Matt's. Probably.

"If everything went well today, see what a Monday or Tuesday brings. We'll see."

No roster cuts are expected today. Showalter will meet with executive vice president Dan Duquette following today's game.

"It probably won't happen before tomorrow morning," Showalter said.

We're still waiting on Friday's starter against the Yankees in Sarasota.

"As soon as the Yankees decide, we'll decide," Showalter said. "We've got starters for the next four or five days from everybody else."