Gentry's latest chance and tonight's pitching matchup

Craig Gentry is developing a knack for signing minor league deals with the Orioles in February and breaking camp with the team. Not the easiest path to take and certainly not his first choice, but he's really making the most of it.

Gentry's first start last season occurred on April 9 after coming off the bench in four games with no plate appearances. He was in the opening day lineup Thursday afternoon and made a couple of outstanding plays in right field in a 3-2, 11-inning win over the Twins.

Having celebrated his 34th birthday in November and with his career threatened by injuries and concussion symptoms, Gentry is appreciative of any chance to get back to the majors and be a contributor.

"It's definitely satisfying," he said. "I was in a similar situation last year and got to break with the team. You put in a lot of work. And especially at my age, you don't know how many more opportunities you're going to get, so I'm definitely very grateful and thankful for this one. Super excited to be where I'm at."

Gentry can back up at all three outfield spots and share right with Colby Rasmus, who was missing from the lineup on opening day because of his past struggles against Jake Odorizzi and the veteran right-hander's reverse splits.

"I don't now specifically now," Gentry said. "I get the feeling that it's going to be similar to last year, platooning here and there with a lefty starting and coming in for defense and pinch-running. I just assume that's going to be my role again."

Gentry batted eighth on Thursday while going 0-for-3. He's actually started 48 games as the leadoff hitter and the Orioles don't carry a prototypical guy for the role, so there could be occasions when he rises to the top of the order.

"I don't know," he said. "I've definitely done it most of my life, so it's a spot that I'm comfortable in, so we'll see."

Depending on how long he stays, of course. Gentry never allows himself to get too comfortable on a roster and the Orioles outrighted him last summer, relieved that he wasn't claimed off waivers.

Manager Buck Showalter indicated on Thursday that Rasmus would start tonight against Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson. Rasmus pinch-hit for Gentry in the opener and drew a leadoff walk in the 10th. He had a chance to score the winning run after the Orioles loaded the bases with one out, but Jonathan Schoop grounded into a double play.

Rasmus is 3-for-8 lifetime against Gibson. Manny Machado is 5-for-16, Chris Davis is 4-for-13 with a home run and Adam Jones is 5-for-20 with a double and four home runs.

Rasmus needs 10 RBIs to reach 500 for his career. Schoop needs three more home runs to tie Brian Roberts for the most among Orioles second basemen with 92.

Gibson has posted identical 5.07 ERAs in his last two seasons in 25 and 29 starts, respectively. He's 4-4 with an 8.23 ERA and 2.030 WHIP in 11 career starts against the Orioles and has registered a 5.66 ERA and 1.935 WHIP in four games at Camden Yards.

In his two starts against the Orioles last season, Gibson allowed 13 runs and 16 hits over nine innings. And he's got the added burden tonight of a career 4-16 record, 6.47 ERA and 1.741 WHIP in 28 starts in March/April.

The man tends to stumble out of the gate.

Andrew Cashner, making his Orioles debut tonight, owns a 2.95 ERA in 39 career games in March/April, the lowest of any months. He's pretty consistent in the first and second halves, with a 3.70 ERA, 1.333 WHIP and opponents' .257/.324/.397 slash line before the break, and a 3.92 ERA, 1.302 WHIP and opponents' .251/.320/.390 slash line after it.

Cashner has faced the Twins only once, on April 25, 2017 while pitching for the Rangers, and he lasted four innings while allowing two runs and five hits with six walks. Kennys Vargas and Miguel Sanó hit home runs.

Logan Morrison is 3-for-9 with a double lifetime against Cashner, who's been slotted between Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman in the rotation.

Twins center fielder Byron Buxton has been successful in his last 25 stolen base attempts, a club record, since former Orioles catcher Welington Castillo nabbed him on May 23, 2017.

Shameless plug alert: I'm back on "Wall to Wall Baseball" from noon-1:30 p.m. on MASN.