Showalter on Matusz, Jones and the rotation

The Orioles did a nice job of bumping up Brian Matusz's innings total after he was limited to two in spring training due to a strained muscle in his lower back.

Matusz worked 10 innings in his five appearances on his injury rehab assignment, including four last night at Single-A Frederick. He went three innings in his previous appearance with the Keys.

"It's good for him to get stretched out two or three outings," said manager Buck Showalter.

Matusz, drafted as a starter with the fourth overall pick in 2008 out of the University of San Diego, would like to do his season's work out of the rotation. He gets a taste of it in spring training, this year being an exception.

Matusz primarily is used in matchup situations, but he worked three innings in relief on April 21, 2015 in Toronto and 2 1/2 on May 10 in New York and Aug. 11 in Seattle.

"Believe me, in Brian's heart of hearts, he'd like to start. And I'm aware of that," Showalter said.

"I think that kind of drives him a little bit when he goes through these extended periods of outings, just to remind everybody. But it's all about doing what the club needs. I think if we can keep the ball in his hand, he doesn't lose what he gains. The feel for the changeup. Guys need the ball in their hand, they need to be on the mound, they need to be throwing to hitters. That's why Tyler (Wilson) needed to pitch last night. Five days is not going to do it. And I also want to keep our guys out of league leaders in appearances. Brian benefits from it.

"It's a challenge for me to have him keep that sharpness and keenness in his feel for the baseball all year. It kind of comes and goes sometimes. He's been a very durable guy for us and he got a setback this spring that he couldn't come back from without taking an extended period with elongated outings like he did. I'm hoping this last one was the last part of it. He certainly did his part."

The Orioles revisit the idea of starting Matusz every spring before sticking with their 'pen plan.

"Oh yeah, we do," Showalter said. "Sometimes, he's a victim of his success at the other (role) and the need that all clubs, especially us, have for that piece. I'm aware of that. And if I'm not, he'll make me aware of it. I welcome that.

"Brian's 29 years old, he's not 35 years old. You never know what the future's going to bring. Somebody might find out something that we should have known. Who knows?"

The lineup tonight includes center fielder Adam Jones, who left last night's game after the sixth inning with a stomach virus.

"They took him over to the hospital last night just to make sure and I don't think he got out of there until after midnight," Showalter said. "He feels good now. I was kidding him. August is at daycare now and they bring home every virus known to man. You know, the good Lord gives kids a little more of an immune system than we have as we get older. I said you've got to wash your hands.

"I could hear him up the runway throwing up, so that ended. I've heard a lot of things up that runway. That was a new one. A lot of different word combinations."

The Orioles have some rotation combinations to sort through with Kevin Gausman nearing a return. Vance Worley is in the bullpen again tonight, but he's a candidate to start Saturday in Kansas City.

Asked whether he's made that decision, Showalter replied, "No. Have not publicly. See how Gausman does tonight. There will be a lot of things that kind of affect where we go.

"Kevin's day isn't falling conveniently, is it? May have to move some things around."