O's Kevin Gausman on blister issue that pushed start back a day

TORONTO - Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman is going to start the third game of this series on Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays on five days rest.

With a blister on the index finger of his right hand, he is being given an extra day after originally being scheduled to pitch tomorrow night. Now Dylan Bundy will make that start and Gausman goes the next day.

Gausman, who is 10-10 with a 4.99 ERA in 30 starts, said he is fine and that he often gets blisters.

"You know I get one every start," he said. "My last one it was a little worse than it has been. But threw a 'pen yesterday and felt fine. Should be fine.

"I think this time of year, anytime you get an extra day you can use it. You need to take advantage of it. Normally I would only take one day off from throwing, but knowing this time I had an extra day, I took two days off from throwing. This time of year anything that can help your body feel better the day you start is always a good thing."

Gausman said the blister doesn't impact any of his pitches, at least not in a negative way.

"No, not really. Actually, the bigger it gets the better my split is. So that is weird," he said.

A pitcher that has been a roll for most of the second half, Gausman has to wait for his next turn coming off a sub-par outing. On Thursday at home he gave up five hits and five runs over three innings versus the Yankees in a 9-1 loss. That was the rubber game of a three-game series and the Yankees scored three in the first off him that afternoon, two on an Aaron Judge home run.

"I was pretty upset with that outing. That was a big game for us. To throw 80 pitches and come out after three innings - that is not what I'm trying to do. We won a big second game in that series and in that third game, I needed to be better than that.

"It is always tough waiting to get back out there when you have had a rough one. The good thing is we have bullpen days to work on things, focus and forget about it a little bit," Gausman said.

Even with that outing against the Yankees, Gausman is 5-3 with a 2.67 ERA over his last nine starts, allowing two runs or less in seven of the nine games. He is 5-3 with a 3.68 ERA since the All-Star break.

Gausman does take pride in taking the ball when it is his turn to pitch. His career high in innings, set last year at 179 2/3 is within reach. He is at 160 2/3 right now and should have at least three starts remaining.

"Absolutely. That is one thing you know to this point, the last two years, I can say I've been healthy for both of them. Had 30 starts last year and have 30 this year and will make a couple more. Obviously I am not having the best statistical year, but at least I have done that right. I've taken the ball and given my team a chance to win every five days," he said.