Ex-Orioles Report: Yovani Gallardo and other castoffs who are struggling mightily in 2017

It’s no secret that the Orioles’ 2017 rotation is in pretty poor shape. But things wouldn’t be much better if the club had held onto Yovani Gallardo, who started 23 games in 2016, fourth most among that Orioles’ rotation.

The veteran right-hander, whom the Orioles traded to Seattle for Seth Smith last offseason, officially lost his spot in the Mariners’ rotation this week, replaced by pitching prospect Andrew Moore. In 14 starts, Gallardo was 3-7 with an unsightly 6.30 ERA. He might’ve been removed from his role earlier if not for a rash of injuries to the Mariners’ other starters, including Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma and Drew Smyly.

The fact the Orioles were able to pawn off Gallardo and his full salary in exchange for Smith — who has been a table-setter atop the Baltimore lineup this season — has to be considered a coup for Dan Duquette and the front office.

Gallardo isn’t the only former Oriole who’s had a rough go of things in 2017. We’ve written about ex-Orioles who had hot starts this year, now here’s a look at some who are struggling to find their way with new teams or have found their way completely out of baseball.

LHP Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins

The often-penny-pinching Marlins surprised the industry when they pounced on Chen for a five-year, $80 million deal (with a two-year opt-out) after 2015, a contract the Orioles had no interest in matching.

The gamble has backfired big time on the Marlins. Chen stumbled (5-5 with a 4.96 ERA in 22 starts) in his debut season for Miami in 2016, and this year he made just five starts before landing on the disabled list with left arm fatigue. He’s been on the shelf ever since with no timetable for his return, and nobody seems entirely clear about the nature or severity of his injury.

RHP Miguel Gonzalez, Chicago White Sox

Yes, this is the same Gonzalez I mentioned in May in my rundown of ex-Orioles who were off to great starts. Now, a month later, he’s on the opposite list.

After winning his first three decisions and posting a 2.00 ERA in his first four starts, Gonzalez has worn down, suffering a 1-8 record and 7.32 ERA since. Two of those losses came against the Orioles, including an eight-run implosion June 14. Gonzalez hasn’t pitched since that game; the White Sox placed him on DL June 18 with shoulder joint inflammation.

RHP Jeremy Guthrie, Washington Nationals (released)

It was supposed to be a feel-good story when Guthrie, on his 38th birthday, was recalled to make a spot start for the Nationals on April 8, his first big league action since 2015. Instead, it became a nightmare.

Guthrie faced 12 Philadelphia Phillies batters and allowed 10 of them to reach base, all of whom scored. He trudged off the mound before the first inning was over, tagged with six hits, four walks and a 135.00 ERA. Guthrie admitted in a candid interview with MASN.com last month that his big league career seems all but over.

LHP Rich Hill, Los Angeles Dodgers

Speaking of feel-good stories that have gone sour, Hill hasn’t delivered on the first year of his three-year, $48 million extension with the Dodgers. The 37-year-old Hill was the epitome of perseverance paying off; after 12 seasons as a roving journeyman — including with the 2009 Orioles — and a stint in the independent Atlantic League, Hill finally cashed in with his first multi-year contract following a terrific 2016 season.

But Hill hasn’t replicated his success so far. In nine starts, he’s 4-3 with a 4.73 ERA, and he’s also spent two stints on the disabled list with recurring blister problems. The pitching-rich Dodgers have discussed moving Hill to the bullpen to keep him healthy and effective, but a $48 million reliever probably isn’t what they had in mind when they signed him.

RHP Jair Jurrjens, Dodgers (restricted list)

Remember Jair Jurrjens? It’s OK if you don’t — his Orioles career consisted of two forgettable games, one month apart, in 2013. Coming off a knee injury, he showed little of the velocity that once made him an All-Star. He last pitched in the majors in 2014.

This year, the 31-year-old Jurrjens looked like he might be on his way to a renaissance. His performance for Team Netherlands in the 2017 World Baseball Classic — a 2.38 ERA in three games — earned him a minor league deal with the Dodgers. But on June 15, Jurrjens received an 80-game suspension for a positive drug test, putting his career back in limbo.

LHP Brian Matusz, Arizona Diamondbacks (released)

It’s been a sharp fall for Matusz, the No. 4 overall pick by the Orioles in the 2008 draft. After his Orioles career ended in 2016, Matusz was hoping to latch on with the Diamondbacks this year as a lefty specialist.

His performance at Triple-A Reno, though, was dreadful. In 11 games, Matusz allowed 12 runs and 26 hits in 17 2/3 innings, sputtering to a 6.11 ERA. Arizona released him May 12 and he hasn’t signed anywhere since. At age 30, Matusz’s baseball career could be over.

OF Nolan Reimold, Long Island Ducks (retired)

We threw one hitter into this group for you, given the lengthy tenure this guy had with the organization. Reimold, whose big league career began the same year as Matusz in 2009, has officially retired from baseball. He started the year with the Ducks of the Atlantic League, batting .238 with a .756 OPS before calling it quits.

But when one ex-Oriole departs, two more spring up in his place. The Ducks replaced Reimold on the roster with 2012 Orioles outfielder Lew Ford, and later signed former Orioles right-hander Alfredo Simon.

RHP Francisco Rodriguez, Detroit Tigers (released)

Rodriguez, MLB’s active leader in saves with 437, started the year as the Tigers’ closer but pitched so poorly — blowing four of his 11 save chances — that he was relegated to mop-up duty. Last week, Rodriguez publicly blasted Tigers management and coaches for their lack of communication.

With those bridges fully burned, Rodriguez has now lost his roster spot entirely. The Tigers released the 35-year-old right-hander Friday. He had a 7.82 ERA in 28 games.