masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles will assign newly acquired right-hander Rick VandenHurk to Triple-A Norfolk. They’re expected to recall left-hander Troy Patton and use him in long relief, but discussions are ongoing.

Mark Hendrickson could be used in a shorter role, since Will Ohman served primarily as a specialist. But the Orioles need depth at long relief because their starters have been exiting games early.

The Orioles asked for VandenHurk earlier today and were turned down. The couldn’t reach agreement on…The Orioles will assign newly acquired right-hander Rick VandenHurk to Triple-A Norfolk. They’re expected to recall left-hander Troy Patton and use him in long relief, but discussions are ongoing.

Mark Hendrickson could be used in a shorter role, since Will Ohman served primarily as a specialist. But the Orioles need depth at long relief because their starters have been exiting games early.

The Orioles asked for VandenHurk earlier today and were turned down. The couldn’t reach agreement on another player, and talks appeared dead until the Marlins got back to them late in the day. A deal was completed with about four minutes to spare.

It turned out to be a much busier day for the Orioles than anticipated.

“We had a lot of conversations going on at the end,” said president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. “We had more phone activity than trade activity, but there was no shortage of phone activity.”

VandenHurk, a name I recognize only from covering so many Orioles-Marlins spring training games, is 8-9 with a 5.96 ERA in 35 major league games (32 starts) over parts of four seasons. He was 8-4 with a 4.68 ERA in 19 starts with Triple-A New Orleans this season, walking 40 and striking out 87 in 98 innings.

VandenHurk allowed one earned run in each of his last four starts and turned in a complete-game victory over Memphis on Wednesday.