masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgBrad Bergesen told me that he was on a 65-70 pitch count last night with Triple-A Norfolk, which explains why he left the game after 2 2/3 innings.

Bergesen allowed five hits to the Toledo Mud Hens, including a three-run homer to Jeff Larish. He walked two, struck out two and threw 44 of his 65 pitches for strikes.

“I felt OK,” he said. “I was a little rusty. I hadn’t picked up a ball since Sunday. But I gave up a couple hits and then the guy obviously hit that one out, and that was…Brad Bergesen told me that he was on a 65-70 pitch count last night with Triple-A Norfolk, which explains why he left the game after 2 2/3 innings.

Bergesen allowed five hits to the Toledo Mud Hens, including a three-run homer to Jeff Larish. He walked two, struck out two and threw 44 of his 65 pitches for strikes.

“I felt OK,” he said. “I was a little rusty. I hadn’t picked up a ball since Sunday. But I gave up a couple hits and then the guy obviously hit that one out, and that was pretty much it.

“It just felt good to get back out there and get on a mound again. That’s the No. 1 thing. I’ve been all over the place, as far as coming up and going down and going to the bullpen and not pitching in a while. Then all of a sudden, I go down and take four days without throwing and start. I just need to get in a routine down here – hopefully not long, but at least get my feet wet.”

Bergesen said he threw all of his pitches and “worked some counts, pitching my style.”

Unlike his last assignment to Norfolk, Bergesen said he’s not working on anything specific.

“It’s a matter of just getting my innings going,” he said.

Bergesen hasn’t been told when he’ll make his next start, but his regular turn falls on Tuesday against Lehigh Valley.

“I’m waiting to find out,” he said.

The Orioles need a fifth starter on June 26 against the Nationals, so they’d have to do some creative shuffling to make Bergesen available for it. He would be pitching on short rest if he takes the mound on Tuesday.

Ouellette update: A team official confirmed via text message that the Ryan Ouellette deal involves a PTBNL or cash. Nothing bigger. The Orioles are clearing roster space as their short-season affiliates begin their seasons and players report from extended spring training and the draft.