Gausman talks Tillman, Bundy, expectations and more

SARASOTA, Fla. - In some respects, Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman has been where right-hander Chris Tillman wants to go.

It was about one year ago when Gausman got a cortisone injection for a right shoulder strain. He missed the beginning of the 2016 season, but he returned to start for the Orioles on April 25, pitched 180 innings, had a very strong year and did that with no further shoulder issues.

Tillman might sign up for that right now if he could. Tillman got his own cortisone injection for shoulder discomfort on Wednesday. The date was March 15 and Gausman's injection last spring was on March 20.

Gausman gave Tillman a primer of sorts on getting the shot and what could happen next.

"We talked about it a little bit," Gausman said Friday in the Orioles clubhouse at Ed Smith Stadium. "I don't think he's ever gotten a cortisone shot in his shoulder. He asked me about it and what it might feel like days after. I told him I thought it would be the best thing for him. Help progress him and help get him over that hump. We are looking forward to him being back, you know, sooner rather than later.

"I felt good really before that (injection last March) but just didn't want to miss any more time. Was already going to miss about four starts to begin the year. I was happy to kind of jump on it when I did."

Tillman has made three straight opening day starts for the Orioles and Gausman could take that spot come April 3 against Toronto.

Gausman went 9-12 with a 3.61 ERA in 30 starts last year. That included a strong second half at 8-6 with a 3.10 ERA. At times late last season, Gausman pitched very ace-like. From Aug. 23-Sept. 14, he posted an 0.82 ERA.

If you ask Gausman what made him a better pitcher during the second half, he finds it hard to find one or two key reasons for that.

"I think in my career to this point, I've gotten better as the season has gone on every year and felt like I was throwing the ball the best toward the end of the year," he said. "Now it is about trying to figure out why that is. Do I need to throw more in the offseason? What do I need to be doing in my bullpens to get to that point? I wish I knew that answer. Still trying to figure that out. But I want to be more of the guy from the second half than the first half.

"One thing I did well in the second half is I went deeper into games. That is one thing that I prided myself in over the second half. I had about 180 innings. And I missed three or four starts to begin the season. If I had those, I might have been at around 200. The goal is to make every start."

Gausman pitched seven innings or more in two of 15 first-half starts and in five of 15 after the All-Star break.

"I think I should throw seven innings every time," he said. "That is my thinking. You want nine really, but that is kind of unrealistic. Right now it is about figuring out what I did so well in the second half that helped me in every aspect. Not just on the mound but in those days between starts, too."

Gausman has allowed two earned runs over five innings in two official spring training starts. In another outing against the Dominican Republic's World Baseball Classic team, he pitched three scoreless innings and did not allow a hit. His spring is going just fine and he said if he leaves March healthy, he considers that a successful spring training.

Once the season begins, the Orioles' two young guns, Gausman and Dylan Bundy, will be expected to put up good numbers and perhaps take up some of the slack for any time that Tillman is forced to miss.

Gausman is used to high expectations, which have followed him on the pro level since that June day in 2012 when the Orioles made the fourth-overall pick in the first round of the draft out of LSU. A year earlier Bundy was the Orioles' fourth-overall selection.

"I've kind of had expectations all over me since day one," Gausman said. "I think Bundy is the same way. They expect a lot out of us. They expect us to be one-two and be guys that are consistent major league starting pitchers. I think you will see a big step in Bundy's growth this year. He'll be starting all year. I don't know what the innings limit is on him, but he'll probably have to take it easy a couple of times between starts during the season. He'll have to learn how to pull back the reigns sometimes. That is what you to do with a thoroughbred like him. I think we both kind of feed off of each other well. We have a great group of guys in the rotation and everyone keeps each other level headed."