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Baltimore Orioles

Matusz suspension upheld, O's activate Wieters, designate Cabrera among flurry of moves

Baltimore Sun
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Orioles relief pitcher Brian Matusz leaves in the 12th inning Saturday, May 23, 2015, in Miami. Matusz was ejected for having a "foreign substance" on his right forearm and had his eight-game suspension upheld Friday, June 5, 2015.

Orioles relief pitcher Brian Matusz leaves in the 12th inning Saturday, May 23, 2015, in Miami. Matusz was ejected for having a "foreign substance" on his right forearm and had his eight-game suspension upheld Friday, June 5, 2015. (Joe Skipper / Associated Press)

CLEVELAND — The Orioles made a flurry of roster moves before Friday's series opener against the Cleveland Indians.

It hasn't been announced yet by Major League Baseball, but Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz's eight-game suspension for having an alleged "foreign substance" on his right forearm is bring upheld following an appeal Wednesday, according to an industry source.

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That's especially interesting because Milwaukee Brewers reliever Will Smith's suspension was reduced from eight games to six following his appeal. The Orioles thought Matusz's case for a reduced sentence was better than Smith's.

Matusz will begin his suspension immediately, which explains why the Orioles have purchased the contract of left-handed reliever Cesar Cabral from Triple-A Norfolk. Cabral has not allowed an earned run in 21 2/3 innings at Double-A Bowie and Norfolk, allowing just 14 hits with 25 strikeouts and four walks.

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The Orioles also activated catcher Matt Wieters from the 60-day disabled list Friday. He is scheduled to make his regular-season debut behind the plate tonight in Cleveland.

The team optioned catcher Steve Clevenger and right-hander Mike Wright to Norfolk, meaning that right-hander Bud Norris will likely start Sunday against the Indians. Wright was also in line to pitch that day.

They also essentially replaced infielder Everth Cabrera with Rey Navarro, designating Cabrera for assignment and recalled Navarro from Triple-A.

Cabrera can't be sent to the minors, so he'd have to clear waivers before being outrighted to Triple-A. Any team that claims him would have to pick up the remainder of his $2.4 million for this season.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy also returns to the lineup tonight after not starting in each of the four games in Houston because of a sore left side.

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Here are tonight's lineups:

Orioles
Manny Machado 3B
Travis Snider RF
Adam Jones CF
Chris Davis 1B
Matt Wieters C
Jimmy Paredes DH
Ryan Flaherty 2B
J.J. Hardy SS
David Lough LF

Chris Tillman RHP

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Indians
Jason Kipnis 2B
Carlos Santana 1B
Michael Brantley DH
Brandon Moss RF
David Murphy LF
Lonnie Chisenhall 3B
Yan Gomes C
Michael Bourn CF
Mike Aviles SS

Shaun Marcum RHP

eencina@baltsun.com

twitter.com/EddieInTheYard

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