Kevin Gausman on challenges this year and making the start Thursday

It has been an interesting season for Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman. He has has been on the disabled list for nearly six weeks with right shoulder tendinitis and has pitched at three minor league affiliates in addition to pitching in nine games for the Orioles.

Of his nine major league appearances this year, just one has been as a starter (June 20 at Toronto), but he's about to make his second start and pitch against Texas at home tomorrow night.

In June, he pitched twice at Single-A Frederick (throwing a total of five innings), made one start of 3 1/3 innings for Double-A Bowie and made a planned shorter outing of three innings on Sunday for Triple-A Norfolk to line him up to pitch here tomorrow. That came after he was scratched from a start last Friday at Norfolk in case the Orioles needed him in Sunday's doubleheader, which, it turned out, they did not.

So this year he's pitched 28 1/3 innings for four different teams.

"It's been kind of challenging, but it's all part of the process," he said this afternoon. "Just trying to get my innings up right now. I originally thought I may have pitched one of the games in the doubleheader (Sunday) especially after I got scratched on Friday. After that, I didn't really know. We have a lot of guys pitching well down there. That is a luxury we do have with multiple guys that are options for any spot starter. You just hope they pick your name, I guess."

Gausman said he is no longer throwing his slider and that his curveball has become his main breaking ball right now to go along with his fastball and changeup. He is 1-0 with a 4.24 ERA in his 17 major league innings, allowing 15 hits with six walks and 14 strikeouts.

Has getting into a routine been tough with the all that has gone on for him this year?

"Yeah, it's been challenging. But I've done it enough now and pitched on less days' rest and more days' rest to know what I need and what I don't need," he said. "Normally I might have had a longer 'pen yesterday, but knowing I'm pitching tomorrow, I had to limit that a little bit."

Now he joins a team that is currently tied for first place and has won 18 of its last 25 games.

"Been fun to watch these guys since we've been home," he said. "Really in the last month, all facets of the game have been clicking for us."