Orioles sign Tommy Hunter, recall Oliver Drake (updated)

The Orioles added two more pitchers to the active roster today, including Tommy Hunter, their former set-up man and closer who signed as a free agent after the Indians released him last week.

Oliver Drake has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, the latest changes to a bullpen that's stayed busy in New York.

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The lineup card no longer lists left-hander T.J. McFarland, who apparently has been optioned, and outfielder Julio Borbon, who's out of options and must have been designated for assignment again to create a spot on the 40-man roster.

Update: The Orioles announced that McFarland and Borbon were designated for assignment.

Hunter was 2-2 with a 3.74 ERA in 21 relief appearances with the Indians. He hasn't pitched in the majors since July 9 and sustained a non-displaced fracture in his back after falling at his home during the All-Star break. The Orioles lose a little bullpen flexibility because he's out of options.

The Indians signed Hunter to a one-year, $2 million contract over the winter and he began the season on the disabled list while recovering from sports hernia surgery. He pitched six innings at Triple-A Columbus on an injury rehab assignment before rejoining the Orioles, who traded him to the Cubs on July 31, 2015 for outfielder Junior Lake.

Hunter, 30, was 21-20 with a 4.22 ERA and 15 saves in five seasons with the Orioles. Zach Britton replaced him as closer in May 2014.

The Orioles faced Hunter in back-to-back games in Cleveland on May 28-29. He allowed three runs and four hits in 1 2/3 innings.

The only home run Hunter surrendered this season came against Nolan Reimold.

Drake, who's on the 40-man roster, is 1-4 with a 2.72 ERA in 47 appearances with Norfolk. He's appeared in four games with the Orioles this summer, allowing six runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked five batters and struck out six.

The Orioles have been scrambling to find fresh arms. The addition of Hunter will be extremely popular in the clubhouse.

Steve Pearce is playing right field today and he's leading off for the first time in his career. Reimold is in center field, while Adam Jones sits again today.

Hyun Soo Kim will start in left field against Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy is batting second.

For the Orioles
Steve Pearce RF
J.J. Hardy SS
Manny Machado 3B
Mark Trumbo DH
Chris Davis 1B
Jonathan Schoop 2B
Matt Wieters C
Nolan Reimold CF
Hyun Soo Kim LF

Kevin Gausman RHP

For the Yankees
Brett Gardner LF
Aaron Hicks RF
Gary Sanchez DH
Mark Teixeira 1B
Didi Gregorius SS
Starlin Castro 2B
Brian McCann C
Aaron Judge RF
Ronald Torreyes 3B

CC Sabathia LHP

Here are the starters for the series against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards:

Monday: Wade Miley vs. Marco Estrada
Tuesday: Ubaldo Jimenez vs. J.A. Happ
Wednesday: Yovani Gallardo vs. Aaron Sanchez




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