Freddy Garcia was packing his bag. Kevin Gausman was unpacking his.
That was the scene a few moments ago in the O's clubhouse. The Orioles just announced that Gausman has been recalled from Triple-A and that Garcia has been optioned to Norfolk.
Gausman said he expected to be available out of the bullpen for now. It is possible he could move into Garcia's spot in the rotation which next comes up on Friday.
"They told me probably (work) out of the pen," Gausman said. "You know, relieving and stuff just because yesterday kind of taxed the bullpen a lit bit. Just like the day I left. That makes sense I guess.
"I left on a good note. I had a good meeting with Buck (Showalter) and Rick (Adair) when I left. They told me (then) they needed an arm and 'you have some things you need to work on.' I didn't leave with a bad taste or anything like that," Gausman said.
He said he worked on some mechanical stuff in bullpen sessions in his short time in Norfolk.
"It will be a little different (out of the bullpen), but at the same time, that is what I did in spring training pretty much," Gausman said. "Kind of got into a routine in spring of how many pitches it took me to get ready. I tried to learn that in spring."
Gausman, who had strong outings in two of his last three O's starts against Boston and Detroit, made a start last Tuesday for Norfolk. He gave up 10 hits and seven runs over six innings.
"I had good stuff. I did some stuff that I was working on," Gasuman said of his outing with the Tides. "I moved to the third base side of the rubber to just check it out for one inning. Did some things that I was trying to work on."
He said he has not pitched in relief since high school.
"Yeah, I would come in from right field and close the last inning. This is a little different from Colorado high school baseball."
Meanwhile Garcia told reporters he was waived and that his spot with the organization in the future was uncertain and that he was heading to his Miami home.
"In my position, I wasn't surprised," Garcia said. "Came here to get a spot in the rotation and did the job for a little bit and last couple starts, no. That is this game man. Especially here, they make a lot of moves. Guess it was my turn.
"They want me back, but I don't know. Right now I'm going to clear my locker and go home and spend three days with my family.
"I love it here. Great bunch of guys and organization. Hope the best for the Baltimore Orioles," he said.
Garcia said he was not sure if he would accept going to the minors even though the announcement the club made said he has been optioned to Triple-A. He said he intends to keep pitching.
Garcia gave up seven runs in just 2 1/3 innings Sunday at Toronto to fall to 3-5 with an ERA of 5.77. Garcia has pitched 16 2/3 over his last four starts, allowing 28 hits, 20 runs and nine home runs. That is an ERA of 10.80 in that stretch.
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