BALTIMORE–Bruce Zimmermann, who was scheduled to start Friday night against Toronto, has been scratched and placed on the 10-day injured list because of left biceps tendinitis. Zimmermann is 4-4 with a 4.83 ERA in 12 games. The move is retroactive to Tuesday.
“He was just a little sore after his last start, which was just kind of normal soreness,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “He progressed well throughout the week and, when he played catch yesterday, he just felt it a little bit, so we’re just erring on the side of caution, giving it some time to rest the arm and bring him back in 10 days or two weeks.
“He is progressing, and he’ll be fine.”
Right-hander Thomas Eshelman, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Norfolk, will start against the Blue Jays as the Orioles try to end an eight-game losing streak.
Eshelman appeared in 22 games for the Orioles in 2019 and 2020, starting eight. He had a 4-3 record and 5.22 ERA. This season, Eshelman is 0-3 with a 6.41 ERA in six games with the Tides.
“Tom is somebody who’s been up and down here for the past couple of years,” Hyde said. “He’s had some good moments with us, and done a variety of things, from starting to being in the bullpen as a long guy. Tom has traditionally been a strike-thrower. He’s going to face an outstanding lineup, not an easy lineup to face.
“Hopefully, he can change speeds and give us some length as a starter tonight.”
To make room for Eshelman on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated catcher Chance Sisco for assignment. Sisco was optioned to Norfolk when Austin Wynns was added to the roster on May 31st. In five seasons with the Orioles, Sisco hit .199 in 191 games. In 12 games with Norfolk, Sisco hit .205 with a home run and four RBIs.
“For whatever reason he came up in ’19. He was off to a good start in Triple-A,” Hyde said. “He hit pretty good right away with us. You saw the strike zone discipline. The swings were aggressive. He was driving the baseball. He hasn’t just gotten back there. The strike zone discipline has always been there, but really being on time and staying behind the ball. He’s just had a tough time adjusting at the big league level.
“We think highly of Chance. Chance is a great kid. I’m hoping it works out for him whatever way it goes.”
The Orioles have seven days to waive, trade or release the 26-year-old, who was the Orioles’ second-round selection in the 2013 draft. It seems likely the team will work out a trade for him or he could be claimed on waivers.
“I don’t think we want to lose players,” Hyde said. “If that happens, I’ll be happy for him. If he stays in our organization, I’ll be happy for us. I’m hoping [for] whatever’s best for him.”
Note: Bowie infielder Terrin Vavra is on the injured list because of a lower-back strain.
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It's sad that Sisco hasn't panned out. He looked like he was going to be a very productive hitter.
Rich, do you have any insight as to why he struggled so much at the top level?
Head games, not the song by Foreigner....go O’s...
He just wasn't good enough. There are dozens of examples of players who excelled in the minors, but aren't good enough to play in the big leagues. His defense wasn't good; this year was the only time he threw out runners. He was given opportunity after opportunity and never excelled. Someone will give him an opportunity. He's still young, he's left-handed, and catchers are at a premium, so he'll go elsewhere.
However Austin Wynns is good enough.
Austin Wynns is a far better defensive catcher than Chance Sisco.
Which makes him a far, FAR better catcher than Pedro, right? Yeah, it's good they got rid of Sisco, now they have become WAY better defensively. Tell me, who's responsible for the mess Genius1 calls an infield?
I don’t think I’d call him far better defensively....go O’s...
Wise move. He’s had WAY too long to prove something.
Eshelman huh? Where's David Hess when we need him? Hope I'm wrong but this could be a very ugly weekend. Didn't Sisco have "female" problems? Can hear it now--"get over it Chance"
David Hess pitched against Norfolk for Durham yesterday, Orial.
Unless there is something we haven't been informed of, this is officially the 1st truly stupid move by Mike Elias. And Ramon Urias remains? OK...maybe it's the 2nd stupid move by Mike Elias. What the hell are they thinking?
They gave this kid 508 total At Bats in his barely over 5 years here. 392 by Elias. Management killed this kid here.
I don't see Sisco going unclaimed.
Ken, the Orioles may trade Sisco, and if they don't, he won't go unclaimed because catching is at a premium, he's a left-handed hitter and he's relatively young. He was given far more opportunities to play than Austin Wynns because he was drafted in the second round in 2013, and Wynns was drafted in the 10th round. Management wanted him to succeed, despite what you believe. He could have been a backup to Rutschman if he was good, but he failed. His lack of ability killed him, not management.
I guess all the anlaytics, technology and all the kings me couldn't teach Sisco to hit again. You can feel how you want Rich, but I think otherwise. Chance Sisco will make this decision look foolish.
Yes, yes, yes, BRR, management killed Sisco. Oh yes, most definitely.
This definitely not your 1st official truly stupid comment!
And as usual, swinging for the low lying fruit.
You ain't got nothing.
Sorry I gotta say this, but whomever gets him I’d laugh my ass off if he takes it to the O’s...go O’s...
Totally agree with you on all counts there Boog...go O’s...
Your wrong Rich he was never given the chance yes Chance to play regularly like Severino. Something happened to his confidence and mind because he lost power and basic ability to just put the bat on the ball. I think under different management he might turn it around but he needs a head coach as much as a batting coach.
Oh, Bruce. He had 598 plate appearances. The Orioles badly wanted him to succeed, but he didn't. Players often do better in a new environment, and I hope he will. It seems you, Ken and Ray are his three staunchest supporters, and I'm sure he appreciates it. As I've written before, because he's a catcher, and they're always at a premium, he's left-handed and relatively young, a team will either trade for him or claim him on waivers.
Rich, thanks for your perspective on Sisco. It seems it started with Buck and Dan when they emphasized that his defensive skills needed to improve. His hitting suffered and didn't come back. I agree with your assessment and conclusion and hope he turns out to be another Jake Arrietta. BRR, CP, BHoff are all big fans of Sisco and it is nice that there can be respectful disgreement. Well done to all.
If Sisco goes somewhere and has success expect that same team to sign CD to a minor league contract after next season. I certainly haven’t a clue what happened to him but all I remember is when he first came up thinking man, I sure hope he can play defense because he has that classic beautiful left handed swing. Over the years there have been players released that I didn’t even bother following them wherever they landed. I would like to see him succeed tho. I just wish it would’ve been in Baltimore.
Why in the hell do they keep bringing up the chumps of their minors instead of the guys who are are kicking butt. I don’t get it
Eshelman is back with a higher ERA with the Tides then he had with the O's. Why can't we wait until these guys get better. Oh wait, they don't have to get better, all they have to do is be able to breathe. This team could actually lose 130 games, that's how bad they STINK. Thanks again Elias, you stink too.
I'd love to hear the identity of these minor leaguers who are supposed to propel the Orioles to greatness once called up. Norfolk is terrible and they're led by an Arizona cast-off who bombed in the majors. If anyone thinks help is coming from the youngsters at Bowie, you have a long wait.
Cedric the Magnificent with the lead off homer...go O’s...
Cy Eshelman (so far) ... only 42 pitches in 4 innings, when was the last time an Orioles starter did that?
57 pitches in the 5th, 2 down, my opinion, not how you teach your youngens...go O’s...
Ray, Eshelman hadn't pitched that deep in a game this year. I don't know who "youngens" are supposed to be, but he's pitched major league games over the last three years, and the team was fortunate to get that much out of him.
By pulling him, sorry....go O’s...
His major league experience makes him a youngen, 26 isn’t old, one more batter & he gets the win...go O’s...
Franco gets the RBI but why didn’t he end up on 2 nd base on the throw to the plate????
Because he would have been out by a country mile.
I’m from the city…. How far is that?
He doesn’t have very good base running skills...go O’s...
Rich please go easy on Shamus
Franco didn’t want to break a sweat
My bad sorry starter