Hearing from Gausman and Showalter before tonight's game

Though it basically counted as live batting practice to three hitters, Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman was thrilled to get back on a mound today.

Gausman continued his progression by facing Matt Wieters, Steve Clevenger and Everth Cabrera before the rest of the Orioles took the field in preparation for tonight's series opener against the Rays at Camden Yards.

"I think I threw 30-32 pitches," said Gausman, on the disabled list since May 7 with right shoulder tendinitis. "I mixed in all my pitches, really the first time I threw all my pitches. Faced Wieters, Clev and Everth, so no righties. It's also good to get those guys in there. Kind of seeing something in this stadium for Clev and also for Wiety. They've kind of been out for a while. I think it benefits them, too. But yeah, I feel good.

"Honestly, I'm just ready to get going, get stretched out and get in a game."

Gausman will throw a bullpen session on Sunday and a two-inning simulated game on Tuesday in Houston.

"I'll warm up like I'm starting and go out for one inning, sit down for 10-15 minutes and then get back up," he said. "That's really the test is when you sit down and kind of get cold and get back up again. Hopefully, everything goes well and I can be pitching in a game on the 6th."

A decision must be made where to send Gausman. The options appear to be Triple-A Norfolk and Single-A Frederick.

"I'm going to go to Houston and I think I'm flying back here and I'm sure they'll tell me in the next couple days where I'm going to go," he said. "I've heard a couple different possibilities. I've been in Bowie before and I've been in Frederick, so I'm comfortable with both of those facilities. And Norfolk, too."

Gausman will be most comfortable in a starting rotation rather than slowly working his way up to pitching in real games.

"I know Kevin thinks we're being a little overcautious with him," said manager Buck Showalter. "He wants to pitch now. But it will happen sooner than you think."

Wieters is continuing his injury rehab assignment Saturday at Double-A Bowie. He's set to make his 2015 Orioles debut next Friday in Cleveland.

"I'm not going to jinx it. I've already talked about it more than I should," Showalter said.

"You can tell Matt feels good. I watched the last two innings last night and I called him after on the way home. You can tell from his voice and his body language that he's real close."

Showalter doesn't anticipate carrying a third catcher after Wieters is activated.

"I talked to Matt about that the last day or so," Showalter said. "The second catcher, if we want to pinch-hit or pinch-run for him, Matt would be OK to finish that game. His physical status will not require us to carry three catchers unless we want to."

Showalter said the Orioles came close to adding a fresh bullpen arm for tonight's game after he used seven relievers in yesterday's doubleheader.

"Everybody is available down there," he said. "There are some we'd rather not pitch. I think the challenge is going to be after tonight's game.

"It's a little iffy, but we'll see where the need is. The ability to add somebody is better tonight than it was last night."

For example, Jorge Rondon threw 2 2/3 innings yesterday at Triple-A Norfolk, which made him unavailable tonight. The Orioles also have considered non-roster left-hander Cesar Cabral, but the Rays are a predominately right-handed hitting team.

The Orioles have 38 players on the 40-man roster after designating catcher Ryan Lavarnway and outfielder Alejandro De Aza for assignment.

Reliever Oliver Drake walked three batters in a scoreless inning in Game 2, but the stat line is deceiving.

"Going back through Ollie's outing yesterday, he deserved a better fate ball-strike. Trust me," Showalter said.