O's to start Tyler Wilson on Saturday, Kevin Gausman on Monday

KANSAS CITY - It has been a while, but some roster and rotation shuffling is about to begin for the Orioles. They have not had an in-season roster move through the season's first 14 games, but that will likely change tomorrow. So will the rotation.

We know now which pitchers will be starting tomorrow and Monday. As expected, right-hander Kevin Gausman will come off the disabled list and start on Monday at Tampa Bay. Right-hander Tyler Wilson will come out of the bullpen and make the start for the Orioles here tomorrow against the defending world champion Royals.

Manager Buck Showalter, speaking before the opening game the Orioles' series with Kansas City at Kauffman Stadium, said right-hander Vance Worley is moving to the bullpen for now. He went 1-0 with a 5.06 ERA in two starts. The Orioles are expected to activate reliever Brian Matusz off the DL to pitch out of the bullpen beginning tomorrow and a roster move will have to be made to restore him to the 25-man roster.

Wilson is 0-0 with an ERA of 1.13 ERA over eight innings this year. In three bullpen appearances, he has pitched three, three and two innings. He has allowed six hits and one run. His last outing was Tuesday against Toronto when he gave up a run over two innings. He threw a season-high 44 pitches that night.

What went into the decision to give Wilson tomorrow's start?

"A lot of things," Showalter said. "We had to wait until we got through the series there (with Toronto). Gausman will start Monday against Tampa and Matusz will join us tomorrow, as long as everything goes well here today. We know we've got to make a move before Saturday's game.

"We've got some things planned out. See how it goes. Vance, we just don't want to have Vance start and then we're sitting here on Sunday or Monday without a long reliever. This is the best way to keep our bullpen arms healthy and continue to have some length down there in case there is a problem. This way, Vance will be available hopefully these three games."

Wilson made five starts among his nine appearances last year and went 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA in those five outings with three quality starts.

Orioles starting pitchers have worked 5 1/3 innings or less in nine of 14 games this year. So having long relief available right now is important for this team. But Showalter is not concerned about length in the 'pen moving in moving Wilson into the rotation - for at least that start tomorrow - since Worley moves into long relief for now.

"We've got T.J. (McFarland) there and we've got Vance there. We've two guys long tonight. We could have at least one tomorrow, maybe two if you count Matusz," Showalter said.

Showalter was asked if he has wanted to get Wilson into the rotation at some point.

"He's not too far removed," he said. "He had two innings, 40-ish pitches and three days off. He's right where he needs to be. Physically, he's in as good as shape as anybody. So, we'd like to get him out (there). It presents better to cover ourself over the next four, five days with impending moves coming, that we are covering the areas we need to have covered. We will be in good shape unless we get two or three short outings out of our starters. Which, I don't care how you do a bullpen, that won't work."

Matusz has been out with a lower back strain. He has made five minor league rehab appearances this year between Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie. In his last two games, both with Frederick, he gave up just three hits and one run over seven innings with no walks and 12 strikeouts.

Showalter was asked about Matusz's role and what it will look like when he joins the roster tomorrow.

"He'll pitch similar to the role he's had in the past," Showalter said. "Right now, he's equipped to pitch multiple innings. Depending on what we do with some other pitchers, if there are two left-handers or one down there, you don't want to burn him too much in one game and not have him for two or three days."

Showalter also said pitching coach Dave Wallace will rejoin the Orioles tomorrow. He's been away from the team the last three games dealing with a personal matter. O's special assignment pitching instructor Ramon Martinez has been serving as acting pitching coach in Wallace's absence.