|
Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen (pictured) was on his way to his second strong performance in a row when he grabbed at his side and exited Sunday's game with a right oblique strain. That's very bad news for a team that already has called on four Triple-A starters to fill in the fifth slot in the rotation and replace injured Miguel Gonzalez. It was a tough week already, after so-so outings by Jason Hammel, Freddy Garcia and Steve Johnson, and that was reflected in the combined numbers. The rotation posted a 2-2 record with a 6.03 ERA and averaged just five innings per start. Even though the team managed to go 4-2 in those games, this is starting to get scary.
Grade: D (Hannah Foslien / Getty Images /May 12, 2013)
The Orioles optioned right-hander Jake Arrieta back to Triple-A Norfolk following Monday's 4-3 win over the White Sox to make room on the 25-man roster for newly acquired left-hander Joe Saunders, who joined the team during the game Monday.
Arrieta could return after Norfolk’s season ends Sept. 3 to join the team’s expanded roster. He will start for the Tides in a game over the next three days, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.
Arrieta, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on July 5 after going 3-9 with a 6.13 ERA in 18 starts, was recalled on Sunday essentially to take the bullpen spot of Matt Lindstrom, who was dealt to Arizona for Saunders.
Before Monday's game, Arrieta said he would embrace being a reliever.
“I feel like we’re in a good situation with our starting rotation right now, hopefully we keep rolling,” Arrieta said. “If we do, I’m fine with whatever role I fit into. I want to do whatever I can to help these guys, because we all know what the goal is. I’m on the same page.”
Arrieta was 3-4 with a 4.91 ERA in eight starts at Norfolk, but is coming off back-to-back quality starts.
Saunders will make his first Orioles start either Wednesday or Thursday.
