Notes on McFarland, Davis, Gausman, Santana and Bundy

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles will recall left-hander T.J. McFarland after batting practice today because they need length in their bullpen, a true long man who can consume innings if a starter makes an early exit. Manager Buck Showalter indicated that the Orioles could go with a 13-man pitching staff down the road. However, they seem prepared to send out another reliever today to make room for McFarland. "I think there may be some corresponding things as we go forward in the next day or two, but we'll see. We'll see what happens the next day or so," Showalter said. As for going with an extra reliever later, Showalter said, "We're going to err on that side. The more we get our arms around that Manny (Machado) is OK and everything is fine there, we could feel a little bit better in the infield. We'll see. I hope we pitch real well as starters and we don't want to change anything." Showalter said it would be a long shot for the Orioles to activate first baseman Chris Davis when he's eligible to come off the disabled list on May 11, "but don't hold me to it," he said, grinning. "He's in a good spot in the process comparatively speaking. He had a good day today." Showalter estimated that Davis will need two or three days worth of at-bats. "He's right where he needs to be in the process," Showalter said. "He's moving in a good manner, and he'll make some more progression tomorrow." Davis will accompany the Orioles back to Baltimore Thursday night instead of reporting to Sarasota. Kevin Gausman, on the seven-day minor league disabled list with pneumonia, will start Saturday for Triple-A Norfolk. Showalter was impressed with veteran left-hander Johan Santana, who threw 28 pitches in two innings yesterday in his first extended spring training game. Santana's fastball averaged 88 mph and provided nice separation from a changeup clocked around 76 mph. "Self-serving, I said, 'Maybe he's a little juiced up because I'm here,' but then I found out it's the first time that he's faced guys in another uniform with an umpire, guys in a batter's box," Showalter said. "Regardless of whether he pitches for us, he's been such a great influence over there. I mean, he's riding herd on those guys, saying the right things. That's exciting. "The changeup is always there when he wants it. He threw three straight fastballs on the hit that he gave up. Afterward, he goes, 'That would have been too easy. I needed to throw another fastball there.' " Showalter said Santana's velocity was very similar to his no-hitter for the Mets on June 1, 2012. "He feels good today, too. That was good to see," Showalter said. Santana will start another extended spring game on Saturday. Showalter saw the last part of Dylan Bundy's bullpen session yesterday. Bundy is close to throwing live batting practice in Sarasota.