Johnson was available in long relief Tuesday night, but he's also an option to start Friday or Saturday, depending on how much the Orioles need to use him over the next couple days.
Gausman promoted
Two three-inning starts at short-season Single-A Aberdeen were enough to convince the Orioles that first-round pick Kevin Gausman is ready to make a significant jump.
The No. 4 pick in this June's draft out of LSU will make his next start pitching for High-A Frederick, an industry source confirmed. He's skipping Low-A Delmarva.
Gausman will likely make that next start Saturday for the Keys at home at Harry Grove Stadium against the Winston-Salem Dash.
The 21-year-old Gausman has been dominant in his short pro career. He allowed just one hit in six scoreless innings for the IronBirds, striking out five and walking none. He last pitched Sunday, throwing three scoreless innings and allowing one hit while striking out three.
Around the horn
Designated hitter Jim Thome, looking for a way to help the team while on the disabled list with a herniated disk in his neck, went down to Bowie on Tuesday to help scout top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy in his debut for the Double-A Baysox. ... Right-hander Jason Hammel successfully threw off the mound Monday, the next step in his recovery from surgery on his right knee. Hammel is expected to travel with the team to Detroit later this week, and will throw off the mound again on Thursday. The next step after Thursday is potentially throwing in a simulated game on the road … Outfielder Endy Chavez and utilityman Ryan Flaherty both started for Norfolk on Tuesday, Chavez after accepting an assignment to the Tides and Flaherty to rehab after a bacterial infection…Former Orioles Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver turned 82 on Tuesday. ... A moment of silence was held at Camden Yarde before Tuesday's game in honor of iconic former Red Sox shortstop Johnny Pesky, who died Monday.
twitter.com/everettcook
Baltimore Sun reporter Eduardo A. Encina contributed to this article.
