Ramirez designated to make room for Gausman

BOSTON -- The Orioles designated reliever Ramon Ramirez for assignment to clear a roster spot for Sunday's starter, Kevin Gausman, whose return from the Minor Leagues again leaves the club with a six-man staff. But perhaps not for long.

"We could send somebody out [to the Minors], like we did just about every other year to make sure we've got some depth in our bullpen and really not lose anything and still be able to get back before the 10 days are up post All-Star break," manager Buck Showalter said. " We could, not saying we're going to. We'll see how the next few days go."

If that's the case, Gausman could be the guy to go. With Bud Norris coming through a two-inning simulated game Saturday with no issues, he's tentatively slated to start Tuesday. That pushes back Miguel Gonzalez and Wei-Yin Chen a day, where they have historically pitched better. All of that will depend, in large part, on how much the bullpen is used over the next few days as the O's play a reliever short.

If Ramirez clears waivers, he will remain in the organization and can be outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.