Kevin Gausman enters the beginning of spring training with much more confidence than in the past. Last season's second half, when the right-hander went 8-6 with a 3.10 ERA, was crucial to the Orioles' success and to his mental well-being.
"I feel like, to this point in my career, I've gotten better as the season has gone on, and I've always finished strong. For me now, it's kind of figuring out why that is," Gausman said at FanFest Jan. 28. "I've started throwing a little earlier this offseason to try and get my arm ready for spring, so that way, come April, I'm ready to go from Day One, and I don't have those first-half struggles like I've had."
Gausman is entering his fifth season with the Orioles, but he's finally been stretched out. After beginning the 2016 season on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right shoulder, he made 30 starts, the most in his career, and he's eager to get started this season.
