KANSAS CITY -- Orioles right-hander Tyler Wilson will make his rotation season debut on Saturday, with manager Buck Showalter announcing on Friday that Wilson would make a spot start against the Royals.
Wilson, who made the Opening Day roster, has been used sparingly in the bullpen. But he's fared well when called upon, allowing just one run over eight innings in three games.
"He's not too far removed [from starting]," Showalter said of Wilson, who was in the rotation competition in Spring Training. "He had two innings, 40'ish pitches and two days off. He's right where he needs to be. Physically, he's in as good as shape as anybody. So, we'd like to get him out [there]. It presents better to cover him over the next four, five days if we are covering the areas we need to have covered. We will be in good shape unless we get two or three short outings out of our starters. Which, I don't care how you do a bullpen, won't work."
Showalter said he's not concerned about having length in the bullpen by pulling Wilson into the rotation. The O's will add lefty Brian Matusz, who has traditionally been used in more of a lefty specialist role, before Saturday's game, and will have Vance Worley in the bullpen this weekend.
"We've got TJ [McFarland] and Vance there. Two guys long there [for Friday]," said Showalter, who perhaps hinted at Saturday's roster move. "Should have at least one tomorrow, maybe two if you count Matusz."
Wilson went 2-2 with a 3.50 ERA in nine games, five starts, in his first season in the Majors last year.