BALTIMORE—The Orioles made several roster moves on Wednesday, placing right-handed pitcher Austin Voth on the 15-day injured list because of right elbow discomfort, recalling infielder Joey Ortiz from Triple-A Norfolk, purchasing the contract of right-hander Reed Garrett and designating catcher Mark Kolozsvary for assignment.
Voth is 1-2 with a 4.94 earned-run average in 23 innings.
“He had it a little in spring training,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Shut him down for a little while in spring training, tried to manage it on and off this year, got to a point last night where we’ll put him on the IL and give him a couple of weeks to rest.”
Voth allowed two runs on three hits while recording only one out in Tuesday night’s 11-6 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
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Hyde said he had a “very low level” of concern about Voth’s injury.
Voth was invaluable for the Orioles last season when he was 5-4 with a 3.04 ERA in 22 games, 17 starts.
“It’s hard to assess it because he’s been trying to manage this,” Hyde said. “He got off to a slow start when he gave up a homer his first few outings. His last couple of outings have been difficult for him. He got on a roll for a little while in early and mid-May, but his last few appearances have been rocky. It’s been bothering hm, so let it rest for a little while.”
Garrett, who is 0-1 with a 7.66 ERA in 20 games with Detroit in 2019 and Washington in 2022, signed a minor league contract with the Orioles on January 19th. With Norfolk, Garrett is 5-1 with a 1.59 ERA with three saves in 19 games.
“We felt like we needed a right-handed reliever,” Hyde said. Toronto and the Chicago Cubs, the Orioles’ next opponent, are predominantly right-handed hitting teams.
“He’s been throwing the ball well in Norfolk and he’s got a little bit of major league experience and we’re going to give him an opportunity up here,” Hyde said.
This will be Ortiz’s third stint with the Orioles this season. Because Ryan Mountcastle was placed on the 10-day injured list with vertigo shortly before Tuesday’s game, the Orioles purchased Koloszvary’s contract because he was already in the clubhouse. He caught the ninth inning.
Ortiz is hitting .259 with four RBIs in four games with the Orioles, and he’s hitting .328 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 27 games with Norfolk.
“Joey adds some versatility to us like he has when he’s been up with us before, and played extremely well,” Hyde said. “He’s gone back down and been swinging the bat well for the last few games. Joey adds versatility to our defense and he’s swung the bat well against left-handed pitching when he’s been with us. He can play anywhere in the infield. We’re glad to have him.”
Ortiz has had to accept demotions twice, and he’s handled it well.
“Everybody’s aware of where we are,” Hyde said. “We’ve got a lot of good players up here. This is what happens when you have a good club. The depth is extremely important. Guys come in and fill in, especially the way they have this year. I’ve been really impressed with all the guys that come up and had to go back down. They’ve all taken it extremely well.”
Ortiz missed some time at Norfolk with illness, but he’s bounced back nicely.
“I feel good. I feel like I’m getting back into a rhythm after being out for a little bit,” Ortiz said.
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