masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles purchased reliever Josh Stinson’s contract from Triple-A Norfolk today and optioned reliever Brad Brach.

A fresh arm was needed tonight after starter Ubaldo Jimenez lasted only 2 1/3 innings yesterday and manager Buck Showalter used Brach and left-hander T.J. McFarland to cover the rest of the game.

Stinson, 26, has gone 0-3 with a 5.19 ERA over 26 innings in nine games (two starts) for Norfolk, striking out a batter per inning.

Brach, 28, has registered a 5.40 ERA over 18 1/3…The Orioles purchased reliever Josh Stinson’s contract from Triple-A Norfolk today and optioned reliever Brad Brach.

A fresh arm was needed tonight after starter Ubaldo Jimenez lasted only 2 1/3 innings yesterday and manager Buck Showalter used Brach and left-hander T.J. McFarland to cover the rest of the game.

Stinson, 26, has gone 0-3 with a 5.19 ERA over 26 innings in nine games (two starts) for Norfolk, striking out a batter per inning.

Brach, 28, has registered a 5.40 ERA over 18 1/3 innings in 10 games for the Orioles this season.

To make room for Stinson on the 40-man roster, left-hander Johan Santana has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list. Santana tore his Achilles tendon Monday at extended spring training.

Manny Machado apologized to the Orioles, their fans and the Athletics for his actions yesterday that caused the dugouts and bullpens to empty for the second time in the series.

Players met with Machado this afternoon while Showalter spoke to reporters.