Right-hander Jair Jurrjens, who was originally signed this winter to a big league contract before health concerns led to protracted negotiations and, ultimately, a minor league deal, has become a free agent after just two appearances with the Orioles.
Jurrjens, who was taken off the club's 40-man roster last week to make room for reliever Jairo Asencio, was outrighted by the Orioles on Thursday to Triple-A Norfolk. Jurrjens refused the assignment and is now a free agent eligible to sign with any team.
The 27-year-old Jurrjens made one start for the Orioles – allowing four earned runs in five innings on May 18 versus the Tampa Bay Rays – and one relief appearance, pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings versus the New York Yankees on June 29, which lowered his ERA to 4.91 in 7 1/3 innings pitched for the Orioles.
After pitching in relief once, he was sent back to Triple-A Norfolk – and remained there until being taken off the 40-man roster. For the Tides, Jurrjens was 6-6 with a 4.18 ERA in 16 starts.