O's option Wotherspoon after MLB debut

TORONTO -- The Orioles made a roster move to adjust their pitching depth prior to Wednesday’s 5-3 loss in the series finale in Toronto, as they designated reliever Pedro Araujo for assignment and selected the contract of right-hander Matt Wotherspoon.

Wotherspoon, 27, made his MLB debut in the loss, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk over two innings. He was optioned back to Triple-A after the game, and a corresponding move was not immediately announced.

Araujo originally joined Baltimore as a Rule 5 pick, and he had just over a week of eligibility remaining before his rights would be permanently transferred to the Orioles. If Araujo eventually passes through waivers unclaimed, the O's would need to offer him back to his original team, the Cubs.

Baltimore only got one look at Araujo in the 2019 regular season, on Monday in Toronto. The 25-year-old allowed a two-run home run to Randal Grichuk and recorded just two outs, which came on the heels of a tough spring in which Araujo allowed nine runs (eight earned) on 13 hits over 9 1/3 innings.

When a player's contract is designated for assignment -- often abbreviated "DFA" -- that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster, and 25-man roster if he was on that as well. Within seven days of the transaction (it was previously 10 days), the player must either be traded, released or placed on irrevocable outright waivers.

Originally a 34th-round Draft pick, Wotherspoon came to Baltimore in a 2017 trade with the Yankees. He split his time in 2018 between the bullpen and rotation at Triple-A Norfolk, posting a 4.60 ERA over 94 innings. He’s put up impressive strikeout numbers throughout his career, though, including 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings last season.

The Orioles' bullpen has been taxed during the club’s back-to-back series wins to open the season, but it’s mostly proved successful. This has included four saves by four relievers: Paul Fry, Miguel Castro, Mike Wright and Richard Bleier.

Cobb to debut in home opener

Right-hander Alex Cobb will make his 2019 regular-season debut on Thursday in Baltimore after being activated from the injured list prior to the club’s home opener against the Yankees.

Cobb has been dealing with a right groin strain dating back to his last start of Spring Training, but his return to the rotation comes just in time for an Orioles team in need of starting pitching. Hyde has already turned to the opener strategy early this season, and added stability in the rotation should provide some relief to the bullpen.

After signing a four-year, $57 million deal with the Orioles prior to the 2018 season, Cobb went 5-15 with a 4.90 ERA over 152 1/3 innings.