Kevin Gausman on the pitch he has started to throw again and his bullpen role

Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman mentioned today that he is throwing a pitch that he hasn't thrown in several years. There is a new addition to his repertoire.

"I'm actually starting to throw my curveball right now and that is what I threw in the game (against Tampa Bay)," he said. "I feel really good about it, talking with Caleb (Joseph) and other guys that caught me, feel really good about it. I feel very comfortable with it.

"Been talking to Tilly (Chris Tillman), because he has a great one. Also been talking to Tommy (Hunter). It's been awhile since I've thrown it. Started throwing it late in spring training and was surprised how good it was. Feel like it is a pitch I can throw strikes with and also have that out pitch."

Gausman said it's been three years since he threw a curveball in a game and that was in college at LSU.

"I just think it's a different look. I think it is a little bit tighter spin than my slider. It definitely changes eye levels (for the hitter). Watching Tilly, what he does every fifth day, he is a big curveball guy with some high elevated fastballs and he's made a living doing that. One thing I can do is elevate my fastball, so it is one of those pitches that kind of feeds off of that."

Gausman estimated he threw about 15 curveballs during his 2 1/3-inning outing of 38 pitches on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field, when he got the win against the Rays.

So is this instead of his slider or in addition to it?

"That is one thing I haven't figured out yet," Gausman said. "I think (when) starting it would be in addition to, but out of the bullpen I think you need to pick one. Out of the bullpen, you kind of look to have three pitches max. Unless you are going multiple innings, which I may be doing.

"I'll probably be throwing my fastball, my split (change). One thing I don't think I will throw much out of the pen is my circle change. Now I'll be throwing my curveball. Maybe my slider too, we'll just have to see."

While some fans are not happy that Gausman is pitching out of the bullpen and not in the starting rotation right now, Gausman said he is neither disappointed nor unhappy about it.

"No, I understand," he said. "Kind of same thing last year when I thought I might have a chance to make the team and we signed Ubaldo (Jimenez). We have six guys for five spots and one is going somewhere.

"I'm still very young and early on in my career where you know I can do different things. I've pitched out of the bullpen enough now to know I can do it successfully and it's not that big of a change for me."

Gausman threw a few pitches on Tuesday that were recorded as triple-digit pitches, reaching 100 mph and 101 mph on various radar guns. He said he has hit 100 before, but it's been a while. He said it last happened the summer after he graduated from high school.

"I was playing in the California Collegiate League and I hit it and remember the reaction. We only had like 20 fans in the stands, but they were all like 'Wow.' "

Minors moves: Here are a few roster notes as the minor league opening day rosters are being set this afternoon with tonight's first games hours away now:

* Garabez Rosa, initially listed on the Double-A Bowie break-camp roster, is moving to Triple-A Norfolk and takes the roster spot of infielder Rey Navarro. Navarro, who is on the Orioles' 40-man roster, will begin the season on the disabled list with a groin strain.

* Four players begin the year on the Single-A Frederick disabled list: pitchers Hunter Harvey, Jesse Beal and Matt Taylor, and catcher Wynston Sawyer.

* Pitchers David Richardson and Janser Severino start this season on the disabled list at Single-A Delmarva.

* Here is Bowie's lineup for its opener tonight at Richmond from Baysox broadcaster Adam Pohl: Mike Yastrzemski (CF), Glynn Davis (LF), Quincy Latimore (RF), Sean Halton (DH), Mike McDade (1B), Derrik Gibson (2B), Rossmel Perez (C), Jason Esposito (3B), Ozzie Martinez (SS), Tim Berry (P).

With a win tonight at Charlotte, the Tides' Ron Johnson would improve his career managerial record over 21 seasons to 1,478-1,478. He's 216-216 so far with Norfolk.