Showalter on Gausman: "He's right where he needs to be"

Freddy Garcia is starting today for the Orioles against the San Diego Padres, the team that let him go in spring training. Jason Hammel is starting Friday night against the Tampa Bay Rays, Jair Jurrjens will have his contract selected and start on Saturday, and Chris Tillman will close the series on Sunday. It's assumed that Garcia will take the ball Monday against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards. Don't make any assumptions about Kevin Gausman being in the mix for Tuesday, when the Orioles need a fifth starter. Executive vice president Dan Duquette shot down that idea yesterday, which came as no surprise. The Orioles didn't figure to bring him up this quickly. I jokingly asked manager Buck Showalter yesterday whether it was too soon for Gausman, which brought the following response: "Too soon?" he said. "No, of course not, because he's three days away from starting for Bowie. He'll be pitching for Bowie." "He's right where he needs to be," Showalter added. "We like him, just like we like, I could mention 10 or 15 other guys like that. Never overlook orchids while searching for roses. And that's how I look at it." Gausman is 1-4 with a 3.35 ERA in seven starts, with 40 hits allowed, four walks and 39 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings. "We're excited about having him," Showalter said. "He's getting challenged there like he should. He's competing, adjusting well. It's not like he's just throwing his hat out there and everybody's bowing at his feet. But at the same time, it's a good challenge for him and we'll see where it takes us. "It's good to think he could present himself as an option for us at some point in his career. And I'll leave it at that." The Orioles are practically giddy about Gausman. Don't think otherwise. But they're not going to publicly fawn over him and further inflate the expectations for him. Gausman figures to show up at Camden Yards later this summer. Just not in May. Just not Tuesday.