Updating Gausman, Castro and Gentry (lineup change)

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Kevin Gausman played a game of table tennis inside the Orioles clubhouse this morning and joked with teammates, nothing to indicate that he was bothered by the after effects of yesterday's collision with the Tigers' Jeimer Candelario that forced him out of the game and left him bloodied.

Gausman has a cut above his left eyelid and there appears to be a little more swelling today, but it doesn't require stitches. He also managed to avoid a concussion after the training staff administered a series of tests.

"I passed everything," he said. "At first, I think they were kind of worried about my back, just kind of running into him. I thought that I would feel pretty sore today, but I feel pretty good. I did some stuff in the pool and they ran some tests on me just to make sure my body's moving the way it should.

"I feel good. Going to get my workout in today and hopefully throw a bullpen tomorrow."

Gausman expects to make his next start, though the final decision rests with manager Buck Showalter and pitching coach Roger McDowell. They could push him back a day or two. The workout and side session likely will dictate the move.

"If they do, it would be precautionary," Gausman said, "but I don't see any reason right now."

Miguel Castro was scheduled to throw his bullpen session this morning, with an appearance coming up in Friday morning's B game against the Pirates if his knees and back don't bother him.

"I think it's going to go really well," Castro said via translator Ramón Alarcón. "I definitely feel so much better this week than last week, so I'm looking forward to it today."

Castro was supposed to start Sunday against the Red Sox in Fort Myers, but Gabriel Ynoa took his spot. Castro is vying for a job in the rotation, with a return to his relief role the alternative. He's looking forward to finally getting the ball, even if it's on Field 4.

"I feel very excited about that," he said. "I just want to make good pitches and hopefully things go well."

Outfielder Craig Gentry said his left hamstring feels much better and it shouldn't be much longer before he's back in the lineup or available off the bench.

"I think I caught it before anything serious happened," he said. "I don't know how long it will be. I wouldn't expect it to be more than a few days or so."

Gentry sustained the injury while diving for a ball in center field during Sunday's game in Fort Myers. He was removed an inning earlier than planned.

"When I got up, I noticed it just tightened up on my after that play, and as the game went on it got a little worse," he said. "Just kind of more of a precautionary thing."

As a non-roster player competing for a job as a right-handed hitting backup or platoon option in the outfield, Gentry can't afford to miss many games and fall behind the likes of Austin Hays and Joey Rickard.

"Of course, you don't want to be hurt in spring training, but luckily it was at the beginning and there a lot of time left and games left," he said. "Hopefully, we caught it early enough that it isn't going to be a big deal."

For the Rays
Denard Span CF
Kevin Kiermaier DH
Matt Duffy 3B
Jake Bauers 1B
Wilson Ramos C
Joey Wendel 2B
Justin Williams RF
Mallex Smith LF
Jake Cronenworth SS

Nate Eovaldi RHP

Update: Austin Hays is now the designated hitter and Anthony Santander is in right field. The order remains the same.