Hyde says the Orioles wanted to gain additional bullpen players with their pitching moves
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BALTIMORE – Manager Brandon Hyde said the reason for Thursday’s transfers, which included sending starting pitcher Trevor Rogers to Triple-A Norfolk, was to relieve the overloaded bullpen.
Rogers and right-handed reliever Colin Selby were sent to Norfolk. Rogers started Monday’s game against the New York Mets, and Selby started pitching Monday and Wednesday and was unavailable for Thursday’s game against Houston.
“About where we are in the bullpen,” Hyde said. “We feel like we need some help in the bullpen, some guys that can throw tonight.”
The Orioles promoted left-handed reliever Nick Vespi for the sixth time this season and purchased the contract of right-handed reliever Matt Bowman, who signed with the team on August 15.th.
“I’m happy to be back here,” Vespi said. “Any chance I get up here is a good chance. I’m looking forward to helping this team win.”
Vespi has a 6-0 record and a 3.96 ERA in 44 games over the last three years, but in Norfolk he had a 7.71 ERA.
“I’m never really surprised when I get the opportunity to come here,” he said. “I didn’t do so well down there. The game is a lot different up here and I’m focused on how well I can do up here and help this team win.”
On 1 SeptemberstThe Orioles can sign another pitcher as their roster now has 28 players, but Rogers, Selby and Dillon Tate, who was optioned on Wednesday, must remain in the minor leagues for 15 days unless they replace an injured pitcher.
“We want Trevor to stay ready and see what happens here,” Hyde said. “We’ll see how things develop over the next few weeks.”
Rogers was 0-2 with a 7.11 ERA in four starts since the Orioles signed him on July 30th from Miami.
“The pitchers are definitely putting a plan together (for Rogers),” Hyde said. “That’s what’s happening today and they’re going to communicate that well with the minor league staff and the guys at Triple-A and there’s going to be a solid plan for him.”
“I thought he threw the ball pretty well in New York. He has a good sinker. I thought the changeup worked well that night. We thought that was the right thing for the team.”
There will be at least one more change in the bullpen soon. Left-hander Keegan Akin is expected back in the next few days, Hyde said.
The Orioles also signed infielder Emmanuel Rivera, who was claimed off waivers from Miami on Wednesday. Rivera is not in the starting lineup for Thursday night’s game.
