The Baltimore Orioles sent left-handed pitcher Trevor Rogers to the minors on Thursday, just under a month after they traded for him from Miami.
Rogers was moved to Triple-A Norfolk along with right-hander Colin Selby and infielder Livan Soto. The Orioles called up right-hander Matt Bowman and brought left-hander Nick Vespi back from Norfolk.
“Just kind of where we are bullpen-wise,” manager Brandon Hyde said before Thursday night’s game against Houston. “We want Trevor to stay ready.”
The Orioles were a game behind the New York Yankees in the AL East going into the game with the Astros.
The team’s pitching has struggled with injuries to the starting rotation, and the bullpen has been inconsistent. Baltimore lost two out of three games to the Mets in New York, both losses coming from home runs in the ninth inning.
Corbin Burnes was starting for the Orioles on Thursday, with rookie Cade Povich and Albert Suárez also in the rotation. The team hasn’t announced a starter for Sunday yet, but Dean Kremer could be an option with four days’ rest. Cole Irvin returned from the minors to start against the Mets on Wednesday.
No. 2 starter Grayson Rodriguez and trade deadline addition Zach Eflin are on the injured list. Hyde mentioned that Eflin is expected to return when his IL stint ends early next month.
The Orioles traded prospects Kyle Stowers and Connor Norby to Miami for Rogers. Since joining Baltimore, Rogers is 0-2 with a 7.11 ERA.
The Orioles also designated left-hander Bruce Zimmermann for assignment.
