Updating Matusz, Gausman, Jones, Lohse and more

Left-hander Brian Matusz is expected to be activated from the disabled list on Saturday while the Orioles are in Kansas City.

Matusz allowed one hit and struck out nine batters over four scoreless innings last night at Single-A Frederick. He's made five appearances on his minor league rehab assignment.

"It felt good to be able to get extended to four innings," Matusz said today. "Threw all four pitches. It was a positive outing.

"The strikeouts are great. But I think ultimately the key was just pounding the zone, throwing strikes and mixing and keeping hitters off balance. It was a lot of fun throwing to Jonah (Heim), one of our prospect catchers and being able to get on the same page and working it. It felt good."

Asked whether he's ready to be activated, Matusz smiled and said, "It was a great outing, it was a positive outing, it was something to build off of and I'm just looking forward to moving on.

"Right now, the focus is just to throw and train, build strength and build stamina and pitch when the opportunity is given."

Matusz said he felt sore today after working four innings, "but that's always a good thing." He's no longer experiencing discomfort in his lower back.

"In terms of physically, in terms of the injury, I feel like that's in the past," he said. "I feel healthy, strong and looking forward to building off this."

Matusz struck out four batters in his first inning, the leadoff hitter reaching on a wild pitch.

"I think in high school I had five in an inning, but never in professional baseball," Matusz said.

The Orioles will have to make their first roster move to accommodate Matusz, with a long reliever likely to be sent down.

Kevin Gausman is starting tonight for Triple-A Norfolk and could make his 2016 debut with the Orioles on Monday or Tuesday against the Rays at Tropicana Field.

The rotation is unsettled, with Saturday's starter in Kansas City listed as TBA. Vance Worley is available again in the bullpen tonight and could face the Royals this weekend.

Manager Buck Showalter has a pretty good idea what he's going to do, but he's not ready to make it public.

Center fielder Adam Jones was at a local hospital past midnight after leaving last night's game with a stomach virus. He was given fluids and anti-nausea medication.

Showalter said Hyun Soo Kim didn't face many knuckleballers in Korea, a factor in excluding him from tonight's lineup against the Blue Jays' R.A. Dickey.

"I could tell by his reaction," Showalter said.

The Orioles have offered pitcher Kyle Lohse a Triple-A contract, but the veteran right-hander is holding out for a better deal.

Pitching depth remains a concern in the organization.

The Orioles may have interest in left-hander Edwin Escobar, designated for assignment today by the Red Sox. Escobar allowed three unearned runs and six hits in seven innings over three appearances (one start) at Triple-A Pawtucket.

The Orioles currently have an opening on their 40-man roster.

For the Blue Jays
Michael Saunders LF
Josh Donaldson 3B
Jose Bautista RF
Edwin Encarnacion DH
Troy Tulowitzki SS
Chris Colabello 1B
Ryan Goins 2B
Kevin Pillar CF
Josh Thole C

R.A. Dickey RHP