Still on the roster for now, Kevin Gausman looks forward to his next outing

SARASOTA, Fla. - While Dylan Bundy has been officially sent to the minor leagues, the other half of the O's duo of top pitching prospects is still on the roster. Right-hander Kevin Gausman will get at least one more outing with the Orioles and is next scheduled to pitch on Tuesday in Fort Myers against Boston. "I'm not trying to look into anything. I don't really know what to think of it," Gausman said of Bundy being optioned out ahead of him. Manager Buck Showalter said one reason for that was Bundy is in his second spring training while this is Gausman's first in pro ball, and they want to take a longer look at him. "Yeah, that definitely had something to do with it," Gausman said. "I talked to Rick (Adair) yesterday and he kind of asked me, you know, going into spring training what I was trying to accomplish. More than anything, it was just kind of show them what kind pitcher I am and what I can bring day in and day out to the team and the pitching staff, things like that." Gausman is 0-0 with a 3.48 ERA in five games, including one start which was Thursday against Tampa Bay when he gave up two runs over 2 2/3 innings after pitching three scoreless frames his previous time out against Boston. After the game Thursday in Sarasota, he wasn't sure whether he'd be pitching in another game or optioned out, but he is still here and gets another chance in two days. "To be honest, the whole time I've been here I've kind of been tip-toeing around. Just kind of waiting, knowing that my time is limited," he said. "After that, I didn't really know what would happen but I'm thankful to get another shot." He has certainly enjoyed his time so far in his first big league camp. "It's been awesome," Gausman said. "All the guys are really cool to be around and it's a great atmosphere. Part of it is a lot of these guys are so young, they are in the early parts of their career, too. It's fun to be around. I'm just trying to learn the ins and outs of being a big leaguer. Talk to the guys about everything and try to pick everyone's brain." By the way, The Orioles will host "Go Green" Day for their St. Patrick's Day game today in Sarasota against the Minnesota Twins. The Orioles will wear green cartoon bird caps for the game, after which they will be autographed and auctioned online at www.orioles.com/spring, with proceeds to benefit the Mote Marine Laboratory Animal Hospitals. The Sarasota-based hospitals treat animals that have been harmed due to damage to the environment. The Mote Marine Laboratory Animal Hospitals will also be featured at the OriolesREACH community booth on the main concourse during the game to educate fans about their dolphin, whale and sea turtle hospitals. The Orioles will also wear the green cartoon bird caps for today's 1:05 p.m. game against the Phillies in Clearwater. The online auction of the green caps will begin at noon today and runs through Sunday, March 24 at 6 p.m. at www.orioles.com/spring. Remember that the O's play two games today at 1:05, splitting their squad. Roch will have updates from Sarasota and I will provide them from Clearwater, where the Orioles play the Phillies. The O's squad there faces Roy Halladay. In his last start, Tuesday against Detroit, Halladay allowed seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings with reports of lower velocity. His spring ERA is 7.36.