BALTIMORE -- In a somewhat surprising move, the Orioles swapped rookie catchers prior to Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Mariners, recalling Chance Sisco after a brief 10-day stay in the Minors.
They also recalled reliever Yefry Ramirez to freshen up the bullpen, optioning lefty Donnie Hart. Baltimore optioned Austin Wynns, the team's No. 21 prospect, following Wednesday's loss to Seattle despite the defensive-minded catcher making a solid impression on the organization.
"Austin is as advertised. He's a guy you like," manager Buck Showalter said of Wynns, who played in 10 games for the Orioles. "Tough catch-throw baseball player, always engaged. All the Minor League managers that had him really like him. It's nice when a sincere guy comes up. He's on every day. He's ready. He appreciates the opportunity."
Sisco, who was sent down to Triple-A Norfolk to work on his defense, made the Opening Day roster, but, like most of the O's lineup, he got off to a rocky start and is batting .218/.340/.328 in 47 games. The 23-year-old has struggled to contain the run game at the Major League level, throwing out just one runner in the last 18 attempts against him.
Sisco hit better with Norfolk, going 6-for-17 with a homer, but he did not throw out a baserunner in 10 attempts while there.
Right-hander Ramirez gave the Orioles a long-relief option behind Thursday's starter, Jimmy Yacabonis, who made his first career start after 16 career Major League relief outings. Ramirez tossed five scoreless innings after relieving Yacabonis in the fifth.
Worth noting
Dylan Bundy will throw off flat ground at some point this weekend, with the expectation that he will be available when his disabled list period is up.
Chris Tillman is expected to throw five innings for Norfolk on Saturday.