BOSTON–The Orioles purchased the contracts of left-hander Fernando Abad and right-hander Konner Wade from Norfolk Sunday, sending right-hander Dusten Knight to Norfolk and parting ways with reliever Adam Plutko.
After allowing seven home runs in his last 8 1/3 innings, the Orioles designated Plutko for assignment. The right-hander, who was acquired from Cleveland just before the end of spring training, gave up 17 home runs in 56 1/3 innings.
Plutko was 1-2 with a 6.71 ERA and had blown three of four save opportunities.
“He lost command of his cutter,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Early on in the year in April, he pitched some big innings for us, got a lot of huge outs for us, the first month, month-and-a-half. His command was good, wasn’t walking guys. As of late, he was spraying it around, walking the leadoff hitter, extending innings, leading to homers, leading to big innings.
“Sad to see Adam go. He was a great guy. I hope he gets an opportunity, hoping he can get back to that early start he had with us because he was really, really good for us. He struggled as of late.”
The Orioles also transferred left-handed pitcher Bruce Zimmermann from the 10-day to the 60-day injured list because of a sprained right ankle. Zimmermann was injured while working out in Norfolk’s weight room.
“There are further tests,” Hyde said. “We’re hoping that there’s a chance he pitches before the season’s over, but we’re not sure. We’ll have to see how the ankle recovers, and what the doctors say about it.”
Knight had a 7.36 ERA in five appearances.
The 35-year-old Abad, who was signed to a minor league contract by the Orioles last December 21st, was 8-29 with two saves a 3.67 ERA in nine major league seasons with Houston, Washington, Oakland, Minnesota, Boston and San Francisco.
In 26 games with Norfolk, Abad was 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA and three saves.
Wade, who allowed six runs on seven hits in 1 2/3 innings in his only appearance with the Orioles on June 26th, was 3-2 with a 3.03 ERA in 15 games with the Tides.
When Abad pitches in a game, he’ll be the 53rd player used by the Orioles this season.
“It’s what it is for us this season,” Hyde said. “It’s a revolving door from a pitching standpoint. Hoping that guys can come in and throw well, but we’ve had our struggles and, hopefully, we can start pitching better the last six weeks.”
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No one using #35 now, hmmm...go O’s...
Seems a few of Holt's prized projects fizzled out about the same time that the "Sticky Fingers" era ended.
Coincidental, hmmm, interesting...go O’s...
If they were to allow the O’s pitchers to use the “sticky fingers” it wouldn’t matter. Even that stuff doesn’t work with no talent. … just saying…
Seems like it was working for Means and Fry prior to the crack down.
In typical O's fashion, "a few days" out with an injury leads to a 10 day stay on IL. That leads a 30 day stay on the IL which somehow ("surprisingly") means I hope we see him before the year is over. I'm not only talking about Zim here, this has been a consistent pattern with this team. I know Zim had a second injury, but even then, it was only a minor disturbance....sure it was. Franco, Mountcastle, the list goes on. O's, just be transparent. Does it really matter who plays at this point?
That's cute- 'hopefully we can start pitching better the last six weeks...'
If they were a soccer team they'd have been relegated.
Looking back at stats from yesterday’s game and I see Wynns, in his 1 inning, threw 9 pitches, 6 for strikes. It got me to thinking. It seems O’s position players, when they pitch, throw strikes. I can’t remember them walking anyone. Perhaps they could teach that approach to the rest of the staff.
Saw this headline just now:
MLB.TV: Elite SS Fernando Tatis Jr. is back -- but in right field, to save wear and tear on his shoulder.
Um, has the Padres manager ever heard of something called first base?
High dollar Hosmer at first, I’m guessing...go O’s...
Nice problem to have
CalsPals, I’m aware Hosmer is at 1st, I was just trying to make the point that RF is where you put your best arm in the OF. I’m just picturing their opponents taking the extra base on every opportunity and Tatis blowing out the shoulder completely. I guess when the NL adopts the DH next season it will not matter but I’d hate to see a young superstar do some serious damage to himself.
Makes sense, didn’t quite as understand where you were going...go O’s...
A song comes to mind - The Wheels on the Buss Goes Round and Round. The revolving door is getting ridiculous