masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSEATTLE – The Orioles’ bullpen shuffle keeps churning. After last night’s game lefty Sean Gilmartin, who was the starting pitcher, was optioned back to Triple-A Norfolk. Today the Orioles have selected the contract of 27-year-old right-hander Matt Wotherspoon.
He is joining the club for the second time this year. Wotherspoon was added to the roster April 3 in Toronto and optioned out the next day. On April 6 he was outrighted back to Norfolk. He made his major league debut April 3 at Rogers…

SEATTLE – The Orioles’ bullpen shuffle keeps churning. After last night’s game lefty Sean Gilmartin, who was the starting pitcher, was optioned back to Triple-A Norfolk. Today the Orioles have selected the contract of 27-year-old right-hander Matt Wotherspoon.

He is joining the club for the second time this year. Wotherspoon was added to the roster April 3 in Toronto and optioned out the next day. On April 6 he was outrighted back to Norfolk. He made his major league debut April 3 at Rogers Centre and gave up three runs and four hits over two innings.

Wotherspoon-Throws-Gray-Sidebar.jpgIn 21 games (two starts) at Norfolk, Wotherspoon was 2-1 with a 4.46 ERA. Over 40 1/3 innings he gave up 34 hits with 13 walks, 47 strikeouts and with a 1.17 WHIP and .225 batting average against.

He pitched in back-to-back games on Wednesday and Thursday for the Tides, but threw just one combined inning, allowing one run.

Wotherspoon will wear uniform No. 71.

The O’s ‘pen added Branden Kline and Tanner Scott before Friday’s game and both pitched last night. Kline gave up four runs and four hits over two innings. Scott allowed one run and three walks in 2/3 of an inning. Gilmartin took the loss and allowed five runs in 2 1/3 innings in a game the Orioles rallied from seven runs down but lost by a 10-9 score. That was their 10th straight loss.

The Orioles bullpen ranks last in the American League with an ERA of 6.13 for the season. During the 10-game loss streak the ‘pen ERA is 10.34 and they’ve allowed 14 homers over 42 2/3 innings.

Today’s lineup at Seattle

Hanser Alberto 3B
Trey Mancini 1B
Pedro Severino C
Renato Núñez DH
Jonathan Villar 2B
Dwight Smith Jr. LF
Anthony Santander RF
Keon Broxton CF
Richie Martin SS
Andrew Cashner RHP