Orioles option Stowers and recall Gillaspie

The Orioles have optioned outfielder Kyle Stowers for the second time this season.

They announced the latest move this morning, though Stowers was informed after yesterday’s 4-0 loss to the Pirates at Camden Yards.

Reliever Logan Gillaspie is joining the club from Triple-A Norfolk, where Stowers is headed after striking out four times yesterday to raise his season total to 12.

Stowers accounted for four of the team’s 17 strikeouts. He’s 2-for-30 in 14 games, with three walks and one run scored.

The Orioles broke camp with Stowers and sent him down April 9 while reinstating backup catcher James McCann from the injured list. Stowers barely had played, going hitless in four at-bats.

The next transaction was April 30 with Stowers recalled and infielder Joey Ortiz optioned. The Orioles recalled Ortiz yesterday and optioned reliever Nick Vespi, giving them a 12-man pitching staff for one day.

Gillaspie’s arrival brings back the 13/13 balance after manager Brandon Hyde used three relievers yesterday behind starter Kyle Gibson. Mike Baumann worked two innings, and Cionel Pérez and Austin Voth one apiece.

Gillaspie was a workhorse until the Orioles optioned him April 19 while reinstating starter Kyle Bradish from the injured list. He ranked among the team leaders with eight appearances and allowed four earned runs (five total) and eight hits in five innings, walking three batters, striking out five and hitting one.

In seven games with Norfolk, Gillaspie has allowed one run and five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts over six innings. He worked an inning Saturday and is available tonight.

Stowers will get a reset in Triple-A, where he batted .293 with a .996 OPS in 75 plate appearances. He went 17-for-58 with a double, five home runs, 17 RBIs, 13 walks and 17 strikeouts in 17 games.

The Orioles remove a left-handed bat tonight with the Angels starting three consecutive right-handers, beginning with Shohei Ohtani. They have Ryan O’Hearn and Terrin Vavra as lineup options.

Grayson Rodriguez is making his eighth major league start and fourth at home. He’s posted a 5.08 ERA and 1.545 WHIP with 41 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings. He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in four starts, including back-to-back scoreless against the Tigers.

The Orioles were shut out yesterday for the third time this month. They’re 0-11 when trailing after eight innings.

Austin Hays has a season-long seven-game hitting streak.

Anthony Santander’s stolen base yesterday was the fourth of his career and the first since Aug. 12, 2021.

Ohtani made a 2021 start at Camden Yards and allowed four runs and five hits with seven strikeouts in five innings. Cedric Mullins and Santander homered in the first inning and DJ Stewart homered in the fourth.

Ohtani has registered a 2.74 ERA and 0.913 WHIP in eight starts, with 66 strikeouts and only 22 hits allowed in 46 innings. He’s batting .287/.361/.513 with eight doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 26 RBIs in 174 plate appearances.

The Orioles swept the Angels in a four-game series last year in Baltimore.

The Angels are 21-20 and sit in third place in the American League West.