Gausman vs. Tanaka today at Camden Yards

The first order of business today at Camden Yards is to check on closer Zach Britton's right ankle, which he rolled while knocking down Gary Sánchez's comebacker in the top of the ninth inning. He's going to insist again that he's fine, but the disturbing sight of Britton on the ground and scrambling to pick up the ball continues to linger.

It's not the same ankle that he sprained on April 30, 2016 while trying to field an Adam Eaton bunt. Britton limped to the clubhouse that night. He stayed in last night's game and retired pinch-hitter Chris Carter on one pitch.

Britton threw one of his nasty sinkers to first after gathering Sánchez's ball, and Chris Davis scooped it out of the dirt to prevent an error because that's what he always does.

I'm beating a dead horse here, but Davis makes it look ridiculously easy.

Britton worked two innings on opening day, threw 24 pitches on Wednesday and retired the side in order on nine pitches last night. The two off-days have provided rest for him. Manager Buck Showalter might rest Britton today.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette stopped by the press box for a few minutes, and a couple of reporters, myself included, immediately wondered whether he had made another trade. It was a false alarm. He was just visiting.

What's the record for most pitchers acquired for cash considerations?

Duquette should be applauded for pumping so many promising young arms into the system.

Manny Machado hit his 13th career home run against the Yankees last night, tying his record against the Blue Jays. They're the teams he's homered most off of in his time in the majors.

Kevin Gausman is preparing today to make his second start while left-hander Wade Miley must wait until Sunday to debut as the fourth member of the rotation.

Gausman took the ball on opening day against the Blue Jays and allowed two runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings, walking four batters and striking out four in a 3-2, 11-inning win. He's 6-3 with a 1.92 ERA in 17 career games (11 starts) versus the Yankees, posting a 1.029 WHIP in 79 2/3 innings.

Jacoby Ellsbury is 6-for-31 (.194) against Gausman, but Brett Gardner is 9-for-29 (.310) with two doubles and a home run.

Masahiro Tanaka lasted only 2 2/3 innings against the Rays on opening day, surrendering seven runs and eight hits and walking two batters. Tampa Bay hit two home runs off him.

Tanaka is 1-1 with a 2.39 ERA in five career starts against the Orioles. He's walked only four batters and struck out 40 in 37 2/3 innings, and the current group is batting .198 (18-for-91) against him.

Jonathan Schoop is 3-for-15 with two home runs, Davis is 3-for-14 with a home run and five strikeouts and Machado is 3-for-15 with a double and home run.

Showalter must decide whether to stick with the same lineup he's used against two other right-handed starters - the Jays' Marco Estrada and the Yankees' Luis Severino - or mix it up a little bit. He spoke yesterday of wanting to give catcher Caleb Joseph a start this weekend and also make certain that infielder Ryan Flaherty and outfielder Craig Gentry don't sit for too long. Gentry has been used only as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement.

Left-hander CC Sabathia starts on Sunday, which could present an opportunity for Gentry, though Showalter may want to take another look at Trey Mancini in right field.

Only two fly balls were hit to Mancini on Wednesday in his first professional game in the outfield. He joked at his locker yesterday that he was expecting at least one sinking liner.

"I was looking at both plays (yesterday), just the comfort level and everything," Showalter said. "It's a start. Who knows? It's a start. Like I said, there's only one way to find out. Run him out there and it's step one."