It's Official: Orioles Purchase Kevin Gausman's Contract, Option Jake Arrieta, Designate Some Guy For Assignment

Unfortunately for someone, a necessary step to be taken for the arrival of Gausmas is that a roster space must be cleared. With Kevin Gausman set to start tonight's game in Toronto, that means space has to be cleared on both the 25- and 40-man rosters.

You could look at the roster and probably guess whose time would come up. Indeed, Jake Arrieta is the one to be optioned. He was extra bullpen help that was never needed, and was bandied about as a possible starter for tonight. But why would you have Arrieta start a game when you could have Gausman start a game? This is the question Dan Duquette and company considered, and the answer is Jake returns to Norfolk.

Additionally, some guy was designated for assignment. That guy is Alex Burnett. When he was traded to the Orioles, I said that they acquired some guy. He is still just some guy. He doesn't matter. If he clears waivers, which he probably will, because he is Alex Burnett, then he may find himself back in Norfolk. In the meantime, uncertainty. Sorry, guy.

Gausman, according to the Orioles press release, is slated to be the third member of the 2012 draft class to make his major league debut. 82nd overall pick LHP Paco Rodriguez has appeared for the Dodgers, and 297th overall LHP Michael Roth has appeared for the Angels. Rodriguez is a reliever, and Roth was mostly a reliever, making one start.

We are now at approximately t-minus two hours.