Spenser Watkins, who started 30 games on the mound for the Orioles between 2021 and 2022, was designated for assignment Tuesday, the club announced amid a flurry of roster moves.
The 30-year-old right-hander was recalled twice this season, including as the 26th man Saturday in Chicago, to add length to Baltimore’s bullpen, but he didn’t pitch in either instance.
The Orioles recalled right-handed reliever Logan Gillaspie to replace Watkins on the 26-man roster, and Baltimore selected the contract of catcher Anthony Bemboom to replace Watkins on the 40-man roster.
Watkins, who missed a month earlier this year with a cut on his right ring finger, had a 7.27 ERA and a 1.92 WHIP in 26 innings in Triple-A this season. In 160 innings with the Orioles in 2021 and 2022, Watkins was 7-13 with a 5.85 ERA and 5.5 strikeouts per nine innings.
He made his major league debut with Baltimore in 2021 after joining the organization on a minor league deal earlier that year. He struggled in his first stint in the majors, allowing 49 earned runs in 54 2/3 innings for an 8.07 ERA, but he bounced back with a solid 4.70 ERA in 105 1/3 innings in 2022. As the Orioles became playoff contenders last summer, Watkins was an integral part of the club’s rotation, posting a 2.47 ERA in nine starts between June 25 and Aug. 24.
He competed for a spot in Baltimore’s rotation this spring but lost out to a starting corps that added veterans Kyle Gibson and Cole Irvin in the offseason.
Gillaspie, a 26-year-old former Independent League pitcher, opened the season with the Orioles but was sent down after struggling. In 6 2/3 innings between two stints with Baltimore, Gillaspie has a 2.40 WHIP and 6.75 ERA. In 18 innings with Triple-A Norfolk, Gillaspie has a 3.50 ERA and 19 strikeouts.
Bemboom also opened the season with the Orioles with James McCann on the injured list with an oblique strain, but he was designated for assignment in mid-April. He’s back in Baltimore after McCann was sidelined with a sprained left ankle. A 33-year-old journeyman, Bemboom has a .278 batting average and a .755 OPS for the Tides this year. In 206 major league plate appearances, he has a career slash line of .158/.233/.262.
To make room for Bemboom on the 26-man roster, the Orioles optioned catcher José Godoy to Triple-A. The 28-year-old was on the Orioles’ taxi squad in Chicago when McCann was injured and was added to the 40-man roster, replacing right-hander Reed Garrett, for the final game against the Cubs. Godoy was the sixth catcher to spend time on Baltimore’s active roster this season.
Mullins, Mountcastle begin rehab assignments
Two regulars in Baltimore’s lineup could soon make their returns.
Center fielder Cedric Mullins and first baseman Ryan Mountcastle are set to begin their minor league rehabilitation assignments Tuesday night with Triple-A Norfolk in Nashville, Tennessee. Manager Brandon Hyde said the club will take a “day-to-day” approach with both players as they work to make their way back. He said both are expected to play full games Tuesday.
“We’re just hoping it goes well,” Hyde said. “We’re just gonna reevaluate both those guys after every game, so it’s gonna be kind of a day-to-day thing with them. Nice to see them out there, and hopefully it goes well tonight for both of them.”
Mullins has been out since he suffered a right groin strain while running down the first base line May 29. He was perhaps Baltimore’s best player before his injury with an .835 OPS and 39 RBIs in 53 games. The club feared Mullins’ injury was worse than what it turned out to be, and Hyde said Tuesday the Orioles “caught a break.”
“He’s been running extremely well down in Sarasota,” Hyde said. “It could’ve been a lot worse. We caught a break there. Knock on wood, hopefully it goes well tonight.”
Mountcastle hasn’t played since June 8 because of vertigo, the sensation that the environment around oneself is spinning. Hyde said Mountcastle doesn’t have a history of dealing with the condition. The first baseman was placed on the 10-day injured list last Tuesday, retroactive to June 10, after he didn’t respond well to pregame physical activities.
In other injury news, Hyde said right-hander Mychal Givens will continue his rehabilitation assignment Wednesday with Norfolk. The veteran is on his second IL stint of the season, this time with right shoulder inflammation. He pitched a scoreless inning for the Tides on Saturday.
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