The Orioles have plugged the open hole in their rotation, deciding right-hander Jorge López will take injured Wade LeBlanc’s rotation spot going forward.

López will start on Sunday against the Blue Jays in Buffalo. It will be his first start with Baltimore since being acquired off waivers from Kansas City on Aug. 9. The righty has allowed seven earned runs over nine innings so far with Baltimore, all in long relief.

With No. 13 prospect Keegan Akin back at their alternate training site for the time being, the Orioles’ choice came down to López and Thomas Eshelman, who pitched well in two spot starts and emergency relief in recent weeks. It was Eshelman who earned the win with 4 1/3 innings behind LeBlanc after the lefty suffered a stress reaction in his elbow on Aug. 23; over six total outings, Eshelman owns a 2.75 ERA.

The Orioles also have recently promoted righty Cesar Valdez, 35, as a longman option in their 'pen, and they are expected to recall Akin again before season’s end. They twice piggybacked López behind John Means in an effort to build Means back up after he missed time due to arm trouble and family tragedy.

López had allowed two runs in two-thirds of an inning for the Royals when Baltimore acquired him. The 27-year-old is 7-15 with a 6.02 ERA across 63 career appearances (27 starts) for three teams.

From the trainer's room
The Orioles placed right-hander Shawn Armstrong on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with lower back (SI joint) inflammation, recalling righty Evan Phillips in a corresponding move. One of Baltimore’s most durable relievers the past season-plus, Armstrong hasn’t pitched since Aug. 22 due to the issue. The IL stint is backdated to Aug. 26, meaning Armstrong would be eligible to return on Sept. 6.

“It’s just a flare-up,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “We’re just treating it and felt like he could maybe be ready, but he’s still a little sore. Hopefully it’ll be short term.”

When on the field, Armstrong has been one of the faces this season of Baltimore’s improved relief corps, which was the worst in baseball last summer. This year, the group ranks seventh among American League 'pens in WAR and eighth in ERA (entering Saturday). Armstrong is 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA across 11 appearances in a middle-innings setup role.

Also from the trainer’s room
That bullpen is set for another addition in the form of Hunter Harvey, whom the Orioles hope to activate either Sunday or Monday, according to Hyde. Harvey is yet to appear in a game this season after experiencing elbow soreness toward the end of Summer Camp.

“I think Hunter will add a very big arm for us,” bullpen coach Darren Holmes said. “We’re probably not going to throw him in the closer’s role. We’re going to get his feet wet first.”

Holmes also said Harvey probably wouldn’t throw in back-to-back days upon returning, and he could take multiple days in between outings to make sure he “finishes the year healthy.” That’s always been the goal for the former first-round Draft pick, whose injury history is littered with elbow, shoulder and other issues.

Honoring Jackie
To cap a week in which they found their collective voice on social issues, the Orioles committed to wearing Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 all weekend. The decision means Baltimore will honor Robinson’s legacy during its games on Saturday and Sunday rather than just on Friday’s Jackie Robinson Day, as is customary.