Orioles interim manager Juan Samuel made it official Wednesday, announcing that right-handed pitching prospect Jake Arrieta will join the club and make his major league debut Thursday night against the New York Yankees.
Arrieta, a fifth-round pick in 2007 and the Orioles' fourth-best prospect according to Baseball America, is 6-2 with a 1.85 ERA in 12 outings (11 starts) this season for Triple-A Norfolk.
"He was pitching well down there," Samuel said. "We feel that he's one of the big guys that we'll be counting on in the future. Why not bring him? I know we're going to throw him in the fire against these guys, but, hey, we don't get to pick who we play or who we face. It's a challenge for him. We'll see how he reacts tomorrow."
In his past three starts with the Tides, Arrieta, 24, allowed only two runs and 16 hits while striking out 23 over 22 innings. His last appearance for Norfolk was Saturday, when he was used for two innings in relief. Arrieta was initially scheduled to start the game but was scratched because of the uncertainty regarding Jeremy Guthrie's health. Guthrie, who was dealing with a couple of nagging injuries, including some soreness in the oblique area, erased much of that concern by pitching 71/3 solid innings against the Boston Red Sox.
Guthrie was adamant Wednesday that he's having no health issues and could have pitched Thursday night. That would have allowed the Orioles to wait until Saturday to call up Arrieta and have him make his big league debut against the New York Mets rather than the Yankees, who have one of the league's most patient and powerful offenses.
However, Samuel said he felt it was more important to keep Arrieta on his regular schedule, along with giving Guthrie and Brian Matusz, who will now be pushed from Friday to Saturday, an extra day between starts.
"Guthrie and those guys are so important to us," Samuel said. "It always helps. Anytime we can give those guys an extra day, I'm sure that they'll welcome it."
Where does that leave Bergy?
Brad Bergesen, who was moved to the bullpen after allowing six earned runs to the Yankees in just 21/3 innings June 2, was thought to be a candidate to start Saturday, but Arrieta's promotion means Bergesen will either stay in the bullpen or get sent to the minor leagues. The Orioles will need to make both a 25-man and 40-man roster move to accommodate Arrieta, but it isn't clear whether they're considering demoting Bergesen for the second time this year.
"We have a few days here to see how things are going to pan out," Samuel said. "Hopefully, [Chris] Tillman will give us what we need. If something goes wrong, you always have [Bergesen] backing him up. As you guys know, the last three games, we've used a lot of [the relievers]. I did not want to bring [Bergesen] in [Tuesday] night when the game was like that. We're just trying to get some more options with him, trying to wait until his mechanics get right."
Bergesen has yet to pitch out of the bullpen, but he could be used if Arrieta gets knocked around Friday.
"I'm staying positive about it," Bergesen said. "Obviously, I'm still here in the big leagues. [If] this is what they need me to do right now, this is what I want to do."
Shelby's son, two locals taken
The Orioles completed the three-day draft Wednesday, selecting the son of first base coach John Shelby and two local products. In the 37th round, the team tabbed Palm Beach Community College infielder Austin Knight, who played at Boys' Latin. Three rounds later, they drafted Old Dominion catcher Joseph Velleggia, a former Calvert Hall standout.
In between Knight and Velleggia, the Orioles selected Jeremy Shelby, an outfielder out of Grambling State. If he signs, he'll become the second of John Shelby's five sons to play professional baseball. His older son, John III, is in the Chicago White Sox organization.
"He listened [to the draft] all day yesterday, was frustrated and so he didn't think to listen today," John Shelby said. "So I had to call him. He was just hollering and screaming and couldn't believe it. The whole family, we're all excited."
Director of amateur scouting Joe Jordan said several of the Orioles' 49 picks are ready to sign, including their fourth-round selection, Auburn outfielder Trent Mummey. That deal could get done shortly. Jordan will touch base Thursday night with the team's first-round pick, Florida high school shortstop Manny Machado, but Jordan acknowledged that signing will take a while to accomplish.
"It's going to take some time," Jordan said. "There's no way around that. That's the way it is. He's one of the better players in the draft, so we're going to have to wait."
Around the horn
Washington Nationals pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg is tentatively scheduled to pitch June 23, meaning he likely won't face the Orioles during the series scheduled June 25-27. … Orioles closer Alfredo Simon (left hamstring strain) is scheduled to throw 30 pitches Thursday, possibly in an extended spring training game. If all goes well, the club will activate him in time for the West Coast trip, which starts Monday. Samuel acknowledged that the club is considering using Will Ohman earlier in the game because the Orioles have only one save opportunity in Simon's absence. … Reliever Jim Johnson (right elbow inflammation) has started his throwing program. … Outfielder Felix Pie (upper back strain) took some swings off a tee and played catch. … Outfielder Corey Patterson (sore groin) was held out of the lineup Wednesday night against left-hander CC Sabathia, but he told Samuel he's ready to return. … Because of a vendor disruption problem, the Orioles-Ravens Rally Caps, scheduled to be given to the first 20,000 fans 15 and older on Saturday, might not arrive on time. If that is the case, fans in attendance will get a voucher to redeem at the ballpark or via mail for the caps once they arrive.