Pregame notes on Gausman, Cashner, Hays and more (tied 1-1)

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Kevin Gausman will make his next start Saturday afternoon against the Phillies in Clearwater. No need to push him back following the home plate collision in his debut.

"He's good, ready to go," said manager Buck Showalter. "We got lucky there."

Andrew Cashner impressed observers during today's two-inning simulated game in Sarasota.

Cashner faced Mark Trumbo, Tim Beckham and Craig Gentry and he shattered a couple of bats.

"Got some firewood for tonight," Showalter said.

The Orioles will give Cashner another simulated game on March 6, extending him to three innings.

"Just getting up there for two innings (today) and getting the pitch count and getting started on, get this one behind you," Showalter said. "If you look at our schedule with so many teams in the American League East and then the Twins, who unfortunately we're playing early in the season, I think he kind of likes the program that's set up right now. But he'll get some live action, too.

"Things like that are, if you have the right mentality and the right simulation, you can tell he was treating it like a game. He was into it, very intense about it. I thought he got a good return for it. I know he and Roger (McDowell) were happy about it."

Showalter confirmed that outfielder Austin Hays received a cortisone injection yesterday behind his right shoulder.

"I talked to him out on the field today. He was doing some work back there," Showalter said. "Hopefully, that will manage in the next two or three days."

Hays won't swing the bat until the weekend and doesn't expect to throw before Tuesday.

Showalter expects to get Hays and Gentry back in the mix after Monday's off-day. Gentry is nursing a sore left hamstring.

Chris Davis, bothered by some tightness in his right forearm, will serve as the designated hitter or sit out Friday's game against the Pirates in Sarasota.

"Probably going to give him one more day and let his elbow ..." Showalter said. "Talking to him today, it felt a little bit better, but we'll make a decision in the morning."

Shortstop Engelb Vielma and outfielder Jaycob Brugman are in the lineup after coming off the bench yesterday to make their respective debuts. Vielma was delayed by visa issues in Venezuela and Brugman had to be outrighted after the Orioles designated him for assignment.

"Both those guys are well thought of and kind of get a good look at them now," Showalter said. "Not going to penalize one for being late because of visa problems and one who cleared waivers, so we'll see. I want to get a look at them."

Update: The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on Alex Presley's walk, a pitch from Jake Faria that hit Joey Rickard, a ground ball from Anthony Santander that advanced the runners and Pedro Alvarez's fly ball to left field.

Update II: Jesus Sucre hit a solo home run off Nestor Cortes Jr. with one out in the second inning to tie the game.