Despite recent struggles, Kevin Gausman needs to stay in the rotation

Should the Orioles be concerned about Kevin Gausman?

Earlier this year, their 2012 first-round draft pick gave up two runs over 13 innings in back-to-back starts against Oakland and Toronto when both were in first place.

He pitched the final game before the All-Star break and gave up just one run in a rain-shortened win over the Yankees that left him with 4-2 record and 3.29 ERA.

But in eight starts since the break, Gausman is 3-4 with a 4.33 ERA. Opposing batters are hitting .293 against him since then.

At this point, I see no reason to pull Gausman from the rotation unless the Orioles are convinced he is tiring. He said last night he feels fine physically and the Orioles said he was good to go innings-wise for the rest of this season, including any October baseball they may play.

Right now, Gausman needs to get his command back to its pre-All-Star break form. Over his last two starts, he has pitched nine total innings and, while he has not walked a single batter in those outings, he has needed 181 pitches to get those 27 outs. That is way too many.

Gausman has been able to pitch only five, six, five and four innings his last four starts.

Yes, there is reason for some mild concern, but no way the club should pull the plug on Gausman in the rotation at this point. His season ERA of 3.84 is in line with the other rotation pitchers except for Chris Tillman. The Orioles are 9-6 in his 15 starts and this is a better winning percentage than they have for the season.

Gausman could use a few good outings in September. At this point, I cannot envision him pitching his way off a potential playoff roster, even if he worked out of the 'pen in the postseason.

I think when the Orioles brass allows itself to dream of playing postseason ball, they see Gausman as a prominent starter in those dreams.

For whatever reason, he just doesn't seem to be smooth with his mechanics early in the game in some of these recent starts. Last night, he became more locked in by the third inning, but his pitch count was already at 57 entering that inning.

For now, I believe the Orioles coaches need to work with Gausman to get his mechanics and then his command more locked in.

It is time to get Gausman back on the track and not consider moving him out of the rotation.