Showalter on Norris, Gausman, Johnson, Urrutia and Wieters

Bud Norris could work an inning or two in relief Sunday for the Orioles after starting last night's game against the Nationals at Camden Yards. Norris threw 71 pitches in four-plus innings. He won't start Sunday on short rest. The assignment still belongs to Chris Tillman. Norris was off 17 days due to his groin injury and the Orioles don't want him inactive for another extended period over the All-Star break. "That's something we'd like to stay away from," Showalter said. "He's already had his All-Star break." The Orioles will send down a starter and add an extra reliever, as they've done in previous years, and Norris rates as one of the candidates. Either way, the Orioles want to get him some innings and keep him on a regular schedule. Kevin Gausman won't be on an innings limit Sunday at Triple-A Norfolk. It's a "full start," as Showalter put it. "Let it go," Showalter said. "He's pitching for Norfolk. He may again, and may again. We'll see. "Dave (Wallace) and Dom (Chiti) and I, the last five days we've submitted about eight different scenarios on the post All-Star break rotation and there's still some gray areas with some variables that play into it. Whether it's Bud or all five of them, where we fit them. We've done all the homework on the history of the teams we're playing and at their ballparks and all that stuff. But a lot depends on how we break the second half, as far as the actual staff." Yes, that includes whether the Orioles trade for a starter. Steve Johnson tossed two scoreless, hitless innings last night at short-season Single-A Aberdeen. Recovered from right shoulder tendinitis, Johnson eventually could rejoin the rotation at Norfolk. However, he's more likely to be used in a relief role if the Orioles recall him. So how should he be used at Norfolk? "You know in the rotation he can do either," Showalter said. "We'll see where are needs are. I know where Norfolk's needs are." That would be the rotation. "I talked to R.J. (Ron Johnson) today," Showalter continued. "He's always trying to serve our needs and I think that's where we'd err on, what presents Steve as the best option of coming up here. "I'd love to get him back. Get him back where he's an option for us, because he's a contributor if we can get him healthy. I think a lot of it is which has the better chance of making him healthy. I don't mind him starting down there at all, where he would present himself as an option both ways. "I'll be anxious to see how he feels after last night. The numbers read well. I read the narrative today. We'll see." Outfielder Henry Urrutia is close to leaving the Gulf Coast League, where he's 3-for-13 in four games of his injury rehab assignment. However, the Orioles haven't decided on his next stop. "Your hope is at some point he's back where he was, which is Norfolk," Showalter said. Matt Wieters arrived at Camden Yards today, as planned, and will stay through Sunday. He's expected to return following the West Coast trip. "He looks great," Showalter said. "I was kidding him. You always knew when Billy Martin was getting ready to come back to the Yankees. They always said he looked tanned and rested. I don't know about tanned, but Matt looks great. He's really upbeat about where he is, and he's excited to be back here. About as excited as we are to have him back here. It's just an unfortunate reminder of him not being here. Not that we had forgotten about him. "He was talking about how easy the game looks on TV." Wieters will attend the All-Star Game in Minnesota after being voted in as a starter, then fly home to Atlanta. Showalter is waiting for learn the identity of the Yankees' starter on Sunday. Masahiro Tanaka went on the disabled list with a sore right elbow. Single-A Frederick's Michael Burgess has been named the Carolina League Player of the Month for June. He batted .371 with seven doubles, three triples, nine home runs and 22 RBIs.