Orioles designate Wright, recall Ynoa
BALTIMORE -- On the heels of a bullpen-taxing doubleheader and a head-spinning stretch of homers allowed, the Orioles shook up their relief corps on Sunday by designating Mike Wright for assignment. The move potentially marks the end of the right-hander’s eight-year tenure with the organization.
Wright, 29, had a 9.45 ERA across 10 relief appearances this season after allowing four runs in Saturday’s 16-7 loss to the Twins. Wright surrendered multiple runs in four of his 10 games, and 20 hits and five home runs in 13 1/3 innings overall in 2019. The club selected the contract of Gabriel Ynoa to replace Wright on the roster. Ynoa, 25, last appeared in the Majors in 2017, when he pitched in nine games for the Orioles.
“It’s been a tough morning,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “I put him in some really tough spots, where he had to eat innings ... and I rode him hard this week. That’s why this morning was so difficult.”
A converted starter and 2011 third-round Draft pick out of East Carolina University, Wright struggled in a variety of roles over parts of five seasons with Baltimore. He pitched to a 5.95 ERA in 101 appearances, all but two of those since 2017 coming in relief. Wright had surrendered multiple runs in four of his 10 games, and 20 hits and five home runs in 13 1/3 innings overall in ‘19.
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.
Ynoa, 25, last appeared in the Majors in 2017, when he went 2-3 with a 4.15 ERA in nine games (four starts). The righty missed most of last season due to a right shin stress reaction and a right shoulder injury, then he signed a Minor League contract to remain with the organization last winter. He has made three starts at Triple-A Norfolk this season, and now assumes a long-relief role back in the big leagues, where he owns a 4.92 ERA across 19 career appearances with the Orioles and Mets.
Baltimore entered play Sunday last in the American League in a slew of significant pitching categories, including team ERA (6.40), bullpen ERA (6.75), reliever innings pitched (98 2/3), WHIP (1.55), batting average against (.289) and home runs allowed (57). The number of long balls the Orioles have allowed through 22 games is a Major League record and 19 more than the next closest team in 2019, Milwaukee.
“If you look at our staff as a whole, a lot of our guys are young and inexperienced, and some guys have been here for a while but haven’t had a ton of success,” Hyde said. “Our mindset going into this year was, for these guys who have struggled, to boost confidence and have them believe in their stuff. It happens sometimes, sometimes it doesn’t.”
UMPS CARE
As they often do, the Orioles are participating in this year’s UMPS CARE Charities Online Auction, now in its 10th year. All proceeds from the Online Auction support UMPS CARE Charities youth programs to provide Major League Baseball experiences for children awaiting adoption, Build-A-Bear Workshop® experiences for hospitalized children coping with serious illnesses, college scholarships for deserving young adults who were adopted as children and financial assistance for families in need. UMPS CARE Charities is the official charity of Major League Baseball umpires.
Fans can bid on a variety of Baltimore-themed items, including an Orioles batting practice experience and a Cal Ripken Jr. signed ball. To view all auction items or to make a bid, visit www.mlb.com/UmpsCare. The auction is currently underway and closes at 10 p.m. ET on Monday, April 30.