Gausman optioned to Norfolk

WASHINGTON - Kevin Gausman told reporters today that he's been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, a move made again to provide the Orioles with an extra bullpen arm. The Orioles are selecting the contract of reliever Julio DePaula, who will be in uniform for tonight's series opener against the Nationals. Gausman is 3-2 with a 3.51 ERA in six starts with the Orioles this season. He allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings yesterday at Fenway Park, striking out seven and being denied the win after the Red Sox rallied to tie the game in the seventh. Manager Buck Showalter used six relievers yesterday in the Orioles' 7-6, 12-inning victory over the Red Sox. Brad Brach is unavailable after working three innings and pitching on consecutive days. Left-hander T.J. McFarland also pitched on back-to-back days. "Buck told me they need a bullpen arm, so it's just one of those things," Gausman said. "It's happened a couple times this year and it's been the same thing every time. We went into extras and I kind of saw it coming. I'm not really surprised. Obviously, I want to stay, but I understand we've got to keep those guys healthy out there." Gausman, who's permitted one run or fewer in four of his six starts with the Orioles, is expected to pitch at least once for Norfolk. He could start on Friday. With the All-Star break coming, Gausman could make two starts in the minors and return to the Orioles. "I'll probably get one start for Norfolk before the break, and you never really know," Gausman said. "I could come back, I could stay down there. It's just one of those things that kind of depends on what happens over the break and when I throw in Norfolk, if I'll be ready to come back. Just kind of things like that." Gausman has started at Norfolk and short-season Single-A Aberdeen this season and thrown bullpen sessions at Aberdeen and Double-A Bowie, as the Orioles take advantage of the flexibility that he offers with his options. They've tried to keep his routine as normal as possible despite the shuffling, though it can be a challenge. "I just try not to think about it, to be honest," he said. "Just stay in my routine. I feel pretty good where I'm at stuff-wise, and my bullpen sessions have really been getting a lot better. Fastball command has been great of late. "It's more of just a move to keep those guys healthy out there and be prepared for anything that happens. If something happens early in the game tonight or tomorrow, it's one of those things you'd rather be ready and prepared for it than be shooting yourself in the foot." The Orioles signed DePaula two weeks ago from the independent York Revolution. He appeared in 16 games with the Twins in 2007. DePaula left Harrisburg's ballpark, where Bowie is playing today at around 4:15 p.m., and is headed to Washington. His stay could be brief. Bud Norris is scheduled to start Tuesday night and the Orioles will need to create room on the 25-man roster. They already had space on the 40-man for DePaula today, so no corresponding move was necessary.