O’s Gausman planning to attack Yanks
Mancini takes over atop lineup; Cobb’s next step still unclear
NEW YORK — Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman hopes to take a more aggressive approach into his second start of the season after the Minnesota Twins shelled him in his 2018 debut Sunday at Camden Yards.
“More than anything, just attack hitters,” Gausman said ahead of his start Friday night against the New York Yankees. “I think I kind of went into that game more focusing on pitching, mixing my pitches, one thing that I did really well in spring. But I didn’t necessarily have the right mindset of just going after guys.
“I got in some hitter-friendly counts, and made some bad decisions on pitches and pitch location. Essentially that was what made it 4-0 rather than 3-0 after the first.”
Gausman trailed by four runs before the Orioles even took a swing thanks to a first-pitch home run by Brian Dozier, a walk, then three hits and a wild pitch. And even though Gausman found success late in 2017 by mixing fastball speeds, all the way from 90 mphto his typical 97-98 mphon the higher end, he never found that extra gear on Sunday.
Because he’d been working on a two-seam fastball with teammate Andrew Cashner in spring training, it was unclear whether Gausman’s four-seam fastball was light or whether he was throwing the two-seamer. But an indicator with him is if he’s commanding the four-seamer, then he’ll mix in the sinker. He never found it Sunday, so he didn’t mix in the two-seamer. Gausman Change at the top: After Tim Beckham batted first in the Orioles lineup Wednesday with Chris Davis sitting, Davis returned to the lineup as the No. 5 hitter, with left fielder Trey Mancini taking over the leadoff spot.
Mancini, who got a short audition at the spot in spring training, ended up getting a clear message from manager Buck Showalter before the game. “Just be Trey, that’s what I told him today,” Showalter said. Mancini, who is an unlucky 3-for-20 with a home run this season, takes over for Davis, who had one hit and struck out six times in 21 at-bats. Showalter said he hopes Mancini takes hold of the spot so the lineup shuffling can stop.
“I felt like when we started, we were going to take it through the Houston series,” Showalter said of trying Davis at leadoff.
Mancini singled to center field off Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka in the first and third innings Thursday night. He added a two-run single to right field in the seventh off right-hander Chad Green. Confusion on Cobb: Showalter at first made it seem as if right-hander Alex Cobb‘ s next game-like outing next Monday or Tuesday would be in Sarasota, Fla., where he threw a simulated game Wednesday, but then backtracked and clarified that no decisions have been made as of Thursday night. The holdup at this point is when he throws his between-start bullpen session, with Friday and Saturday the candidates for that.
“I anticipate deciding on Cobb, like I told you, after his workday, whether or not he’s going to come here or have another one,” Showalter said. Rasmus at DH again: Showalter said he has Rule 5 outfielder Anthony Santander in right field and Colby Rasmus at designated hitter for a second straight game to give him more flexibility in the later innings. Around the horn: Mark Trumbo (quadriceps strain) played right field in a simulated game in Sarasota on Thursday, Showalter said, and will play first base Friday. The plan remains for Trumbo to have a rehabilitation stint at a minor league affiliate to ensure he’s fully ready to return. Trumbo is wary of returning before he’s ready and not being able to contribute to the team. ... Right-hander Alec Asher was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, while right-hander Michael Kelly was outrighted to Double-A Bowie. They were two of the four pitchers designated for assignment Opening Day to make room for the Orioles’ four nonroster players. ... Left-hander Ryan O’Rourke threw a 35-pitch bullpen session on his way back from Tommy John surgery. “He’s doing well. Don’t forget about him,” Showalter said. Showalter also said left-hander Chris Lee ( oblique) threw a 30-pitch bullpen. … The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed former Orioles right-hander Jesus Liranzo on waivers from the Dodgers and optioned him to Double-A Altoona. Los Angeles acquired Liranzo on Monday from the Orioles for minor league pitcher Luis Ysla. … The Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League signed former Orioles outfielder Travis Snider.