masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles are trying to get their top pitching prospects on the same healthy road back to the majors.

Dylan Bundy continues to progress from last summer’s ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow and should be pitching in extended spring training games by the middle of the month. He’s heading in one direction.

Kevin Gausman just took a U-turn.

Gausman will go on the seven-day minor league disabled list with an oblique injury. He’s already been scratched from tonight’s start…The Orioles are trying to get their top pitching prospects on the same healthy road back to the majors.

Dylan Bundy continues to progress from last summer’s ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow and should be pitching in extended spring training games by the middle of the month. He’s heading in one direction.

Kevin Gausman just took a U-turn.

Gausman will go on the seven-day minor league disabled list with an oblique injury. He’s already been scratched from tonight’s start at Triple-A Norfolk and replaced by knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa.

From what I’ve been told by various people, Gausman may have sustained the injury from excessive coughing. He was sick earlier this season, before the blister developed on his pitching hand.

That one isn’t related to the cough, but I decided to mention it anyway.

Gausman attended a hockey game Wednesday night and seemed fine until waking up early the next morning with pain in his side. He had X-rays taken yesterday and is undergoing another examination today.

The Orioles figure that it may be a few more days until they determine the severity of his injury.

Gausman is 0-1 with a 2.53 ERA in five starts for Norfolk, with six earned runs (seven total) and 21 hits in 21 1/3 innings. He’s walked 11 and struck out 20.

Gausman didn’t allow a run in his last two starts, but he totaled only 9 2/3 innings as the Orioles kept him on a strict pitch count in order to assure that he’d be available to them late in the season and perhaps into the playoffs. The ceiling appeared to be around 75.

The Tides’ rotation is in a state of flux. They lost T.J. McFarland briefly after the Orioles recalled him. Steve Johnson is on the disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis, but he threw a four-inning simulated game earlier this week and could be activated in the next few days. Gamboa and left-hander Anthony Vasquez have been pressed into service.

Note: The Orioles are asking fans to nominate a current or retired teacher to represent the team at the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Fans may nominate a teacher who made a significant impact on the lives of their students and communities. One current or retired teacher will be selected to represent each major league team at the Mid-Summer Classic on July 15 at Target Field in Minnesota. The deadline is May 6 and fans are encouraged to visit www.AllStarTeachers.com.

The winners will take part in the All-Star Week festivities and be recognized during the All-Star Game.