MINNEAPOLIS – Right-handed reliever Brad Brach will join the Orioles here Friday and be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk before the team's series opener against the Minnesota Twins, according to an industry source.
Brach will give the club some much-needed bullpen depth following Thursday's doubleheader. He'll replace right-hander Evan Meek, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after Thursday's second game.
Brach threw 16 pitches in one inning of relief on Thursday for Norfolk – allowing one unearned run and one hit – but he is expected to be available to pitch Friday out of the pen.
On the season, Brach is 2-1 with a 4.85 ERA in 13 innings over 12 appearances. He's allowed eight runs – seven earned – on 18 hits and has an impressive 6.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio (26 strikeouts, 4 walks). He hasn't allowed an earned run in eight of his last 10 outings.
The Orioles selected Brach over Triple-A right-handers Preston Guilmet and Suk-min Yoon as well as Double-A Bowie left-hander Tim Berry.
Brach gives the Orioles a fourth right-handed reliever after a flurry of moves Thursday caused the complexion of the bullpen to change dramatically.
Right-hander Josh Stinson was outrighted to Norfolk after Thursday's first game in order to add left-hander Troy Patton, who completed a 25-game suspension.