Expectations running high for Gausman and Bundy

The Orioles may break camp with only 10 or 11 pitchers due to having three open dates within the first eight days of the season. They can carry an expanded bench, perhaps including a Rule 5 pick and/or Trey Mancini, who's currently on the roster bubble.

However the rotation unfolds, Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy will be in it. They're locks if healthy and carrying weighty expectations from teammates who were encouraged by their progress in 2016.

"It's huge," first baseman Chris Davis said on Saturday at FanFest. "I think a lot of people have been saying for the last few years there are some younger arms, talking about Kevin and Dylan, that once they get that experience and kind of understand how to go about their work and what to expect, from the standpoint of making maybe 25 to 30 starts, these are the guys that we've been waiting on.

"It was awesome to see Dylan bounce back like he did last year. Kevin, I've had a chance to see him the past few years, but Dylan being injured and having to rehab and coming back ...

"I said this the other day and I felt kind of foolish for saying it, but I'll say it again: I think it was his third or fourth start, he's going into the sixth inning and I looked up and he was perfect. I remember thinking, and this is just me, I was at first and I'm like, 'Man, I feel like he's throwing the ball really well.' And I turn around and look at the scoreboard and I'm like, 'Holy crap, he's got a perfect game going.' But I felt like that's how it was every start for the first few starts for him, so I'm excited to see what those guys can do over a full season."

Bundy actually had a no-hitter intact, walking the Rangers' Ian Desmond with one out in the top of the fourth inning of an Aug. 2 game at Camden Yards. Carlos Beltran grounded into a double play, and Bundy continued to face the minimum number of batters until Elvis Andrus lined a single into center field with two outs in the sixth.

Bundy shut out the Rangers on one hit over seven innings, with one walk and seven strikeouts, in a 5-1 win.

Gausman won only nine games in 21 decisions despite a 3.61 ERA in his 30 starts, the Orioles failing to provide much run support. He went 1-6 with a 4.15 ERA and 1.304 WHIP in 15 starts before the break and 8-6 with a 3.10 ERA and 1.258 WHIP in 15 starts in the second half.

The former LSU standout led the Orioles with 18 quality starts and he posted a 1.59 ERA within a span of six outings from Aug. 18-Sept. 14. However, the Orioles scored one run or fewer in 12 of his 30 starts.

"You see both of those guys, and especially Gausman, you've got to start with him," center fielder Adam Jones said at FanFest. "He's got a little bit more seasoning to him. He's got a lot more innings as a starter. You see the second half he turned the corner and just started lighting up that strike zone and using his defense. I know the first half we didn't get him the wins and the run support, but his numbers were still pretty strong in the first half and it just shows you what he can do.

"Bundy looked great. I think getting his innings up, getting his arm strength up coming out of the bullpen and then the starts that he had, he looked great. I think, first of all, a full season of him playing in the major leagues and then the whole offseason, I think he's going to be ready to come out and give us 30-35 starts."

The rotation no longer includes Yovani Gallardo, traded to the Mariners for outfielder Seth Smith.

"I was a little surprised," Gausman said at FanFest. "Obviously, we loved having Yo around. Great clubhouse guy, great teammate, a guy who worked his butt off. Wish nothing but the best for him. Sad to see him go, definitely, but we got a great player for him. I'm pretty happy that I won't be facing him anymore. I think he hit two homers off me last year.

"I haven't seen him yet, but I'm going to give him a big hug and say, 'Thanks for coming here, man.'"

Mark Trumbo offered a nice endorsement of Smith during Friday's press conference. They played together with the Mariners in 2015.

"He's a great teammate," Trumbo said. "We had a great time in Seattle. I think he's going to be a really nice addition. He brings some of the skills that the team is looking for. He's obviously a veteran guy and he's going to be a good influence on the younger guys. He and I got along really well in Seattle, so that was a positive."

Trumbo's return was met favorably by his Orioles teammates.

"I hope he hits even more home runs next season than he did last year," Gausman said. "Other than that, he's a great clubhouse guy. He comes in and gets his work in. It just seems like he came over here and ever since he's been here it's been a pretty good fit.

"I think he's one of those guys just like Chris Davis came over here and took his career and everything to the next level. It's exciting. We're all definitely happy to have him back."

"He's definitely one of the quieter guys, but when he has something to say, people listen," said outfielder Joey Rickard. "He's very intelligent and in all the hitting meetings he'll know something about a guy that will help a team out. He's very productive with more than just hitting home runs."

The Orioles can't keep all of their free agents, but they've had some important re-signings the last few years, including Trumbo, Davis and reliever Darren O'Day. They also inked shortstop J.J. Hardy to an extension before he hit the market.

"It's looked like a couple times since I've been here that we were going to lose some important guys," said O'Day. "Continuity is always good. Guys are known factors, so we know what they can do. I don't know what (Matt) Wieters' situation is. I know I'll personally miss him if he's gone. But it's nice to have the same guys every day.

"You get together a lot over those six months, so it's kind of nice to have some known quantities."

Wieters has been linked to a handful of clubs without reaching agreement on a contract. His absence was felt over the weekend as players gathered for FanFest.

"He's one of the guys who was here when they started the turnaround, the whole organization, and without him being here it's going to be different," reliever Brad Brach said last week on the "Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 The Fan. "I think that's just kind of the way baseball is and you have to move on."

"Matt's been a staple in this lineup and in this city for a long time and just talking to him a little bit in the offseason, it has been a little awkward not planning to see him at FanFest and in spring training," catcher Caleb Joseph said on the "Hot Stove Show."

"Our wives are close friends. It's been different. It's tough, but that's part of it. You always hold out hope that it could happen. We'll just have to see."