With frigid temperatures and the possibility of snow in Saturday's forecast, Kevin Gausman may have his start at Double-A Bowie pushed back to Sunday.
Gausman attended high school in Colorado and is used to firing mid-90s fastballs in the snow. He said he's pitched while wearing a hooded sweatshirt. But the Orioles aren't going to expose him to those elements while he's trying to return from right shoulder tendinitis.
Asked if he's concerned about Gausman pitching on Saturday in winter-like conditions, manager Buck Showalter replied, "Yes. And he won't."
The Orioles are targeting April 19 for Gausman's return to the 25-man roster, but Showalter said, "there's some thought he might need another start after Frederick."
"We're not going to get ahead of this," Showalter added. "We're not going to do anything that sets it back. When we get him back, we want it to be set up for the rest of the season."
Left-hander Brian Matusz is scheduled to pitch another inning tonight at Double-A Bowie. He allowed a home run, walked a batter and struck out two last night.
"It went OK last night," Showalter said.
Manny Machado is playing shortstop tonight, his natural position and the one he prefers despite being a Platinum and Gold Glove winner at third base.
Did Machado light up when told today that he was starting at shortstop?
"I don't stick around for it," Showalter said. "I started to sneak back around the corner. I have a sneaking suspicion he does. How would you define 'light up?'
"He might say, 'It's about time.' No, he knows how good we are potentially with J.J. (Hardy) and him and Jon (Schoop) and Chris (Davis). But I think every once in a while players need something new thrown at them. They can get kind of stale, all of us. But that's not the reason."
The Orioles are expected to reveal Sunday's starter later today, though a postponement on Saturday likely would bring more adjustments. Vance Worley still hasn't pitched this week and remains a prime candidate.
Showalter wanted pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti to inform the pitcher before he told the media.
Update: The Orioles announced that Worley is scheduled to start on Sunday.
Outfielder Hyun Soo Kim is expected to be in Sunday's lineup, making his first start with the Orioles.
Former Orioles pitcher Miguel Gonzalez, who signed a minor league contract with the White Sox, is starting for Triple-A Charlotte Monday night against the White Sox.
Rays lineup
Logan Forsythe 2B
Logan Morrison 1B
Evan Longoria 3B
Corey Dickerson DH
Desmond Jennings LF
Brad Miller SS
Steven Souza, Jr. RF
Kevin Kiermaier CF
Hank Conger C
Chris Archer RHP
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