Rich Dubroff

Orioles designate DJ Stewart for assignment; Ellis added to roster to start Tuesday’s game

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The Orioles have designated outfielder DJ Stewart, their top pick in the 2015 draft, for assignment to open a roster spot for right-handed pitcher Chris Ellis, who will start Tuesday night’s game in Oakland.

Stewart, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after the April 10th game at Tampa, was 1-for-5 (.200) in two games for the Tides.

In parts of the last five seasons, Stewart, the 25th overall pick in 2015, hit .213 with 26 home runs and 73 RBIs. His most consistent power display came in September 2020 when he hit five home runs in four games.

Last year, when he played in a career-high 100 games, the left-handed hitter batted just .204 with 12 home runs and 33 RBIs.

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Despite his shortcomings in the outfield, where Stewart has a lifetime -1.7 Defensive WAR (Wins Above Replacement), the Orioles liked his ability to draw walks. His lifetime on-base percentage is .327.

Stewart was used as a pinch-hitter in the first three games of the season and was hitless in three at-bats with two strikeouts.

To make room on the 28-man roster, the Orioles optioned right-hander Marcos Diplán, who allowed an unearned run on two hits while retiring one batter in Monday night’s game.

Rich Dubroff

Rich Dubroff grew up in Brooklyn as a fan of New York teams, but after he moved to Baltimore, quickly adopted the Orioles and Colts. After nearly two decades as a freelancer assisting on Orioles coverage for several outlets, principally The Capital in Annapolis and The Carroll County Times, Dubroff began covering the team fulltime in 2011. He spent five years at Comcast SportsNet’s website and for the last two seasons, wrote for PressBoxonline.com, Dubroff lives in Baltimore with his wife of more than 30 years, Susan.

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