Notes on Gausman and the pending roster move

NEW YORK - Kevin Gausman is in the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium today after the Orioles placed him on the 24-hour taxi squad. They will officially recall him from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday to start the second game of the series.

Gausman started twice for Norfolk in order to stay on a regular routine.

"I kind of felt like I was still in my spring training mode, getting stretched back out," he said. "Now I think I have six starts under my belt and just getting into that routine is definitely big. My body has definitely helped me for it."

Is Gausman here to stay?

"I don't know. If I pitch one inning, I'm probably going to be optioned after that," Gausman said.

"It's all about keeping those guys fresh down there, especially this year. We were lucky enough to have two guys go down to the All-Star Game. Obviously, it was something we were proud of, but we have to keep those guys healthy out there and that's really our main focus."

Gausman made two starts against the Yankees last September, shutting them out over seven innings in Baltimore and allowing two runs in five innings in Derek Jeter's final game at Yankee Stadium.

Gausman has posted a 1.86 ERA in four career outings in The Bronx, including one start, over 9 2/3 innings. He's struck out 11 batters.

"I think I like facing their lineup," he said. "Any time I face a lot of lefties, I feel pretty comfortable with it. Obviously, they have a lot of guys and it's a tough lineup and they're playing good baseball. They really have been all year. You just try to minimize (the damage). They have so many guys who can have an effect on the game throughout the entire lineup, so it's definitely tough."

The Orioles are faced with a tough decision as they clear a spot for Gausman on the 25-man roster. The move has to be made by 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette is expected in New York on Wednesday.

"Some things could happen," said manager Buck Showalter. "I know Dan is working on a lot of different things that could make it maybe not as difficult as pure roster goes. I don't know. We've got some irons in the fire, balls in the air, what all the cliches are.

"I think we've got an idea if nothing else happens how we're going to do it. It's a good sign that none of our moves are really easy. We've got some quality people."

Showalter didn't completely dismiss the idea of going with a short bullpen, though the club is expected to remove a position player. None of the relievers have options.

A New York reporter asked Showalter whether the Orioles were buyers or sellers at the non-waiver trade deadline.

"I don't know," he replied. "Dan will be here tomorrow. I'm working on these 25. I don't think about it much. I really don't."