Orioles recall Eades to work out of bullpen
Joe Trezza
BALTIMORE -- The Orioles summoned yet another fresh face for their bullpen mix on Saturday, recalling right-hander Ryan Eades from Triple-A Norfolk. Eades, claimed off waivers from Minnesota on Aug. 14, takes the vacated roster spot of lefty Ty Blach, who was optioned to Norfolk after Friday¡¯s 7-1 loss to the Rays at Camden Yards.
A 27-year-old rookie, Eades made two scoreless relief appearances for the Twins this season, allowing four hits over 3 2/3 innings. Eades owned a 5.51 ERA in 29 games with Minnesota¡¯s Triple-A Rochester affiliate. He was unscored upon in two appearances at Norfolk.
¡°He hasn¡¯t been in the organization very long," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. "He¡¯s only thrown for us a few times at Triple-A, so there¡¯s not a whole lot to report. Except, given the situation we¡¯re in, he has an opportunity to pitch in the big leagues. So we¡¯ll see."
If called into action, Eades will become the 55th player used by the Orioles this season, one off the club record set in 2018. They¡¯ve already set a franchise record by using 37 pitchers.
Givens gives back
On Friday afternoon, Mychal Givens (¡°TONY¡± ) kicked off Players¡¯ Weekend by hosting students from the Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys and the Orioles' Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program for a day of school year preparation at Camden Yards. The students were provided haircuts, backpacks and a ticket to that night¡¯s game through the reliever¡¯s Givens Back Foundation, which has strived to enhance the lives of inner city youth through sports since 2018.
From the trainer's room
Speaking for the first time since being sidelined with a right forearm strain, reliever Shawn Armstrong (¡°ARMIE¡±) characterized the injury as a minor issue. Armstrong said he was pain-free and had full range of motion on Saturday, two days after he experienced what he described as forearm tightness.
Armstrong said he planned to resume throwing Monday or Tuesday, with an eye toward returning from the injured list when eligible on Sept. 1. One of the club¡¯s most called-upon bullpen arms, Armstrong owns a 5.01 ERA in 39 games with Baltimore this season, his first with the team.
¡°It felt like a little bruise in my wrist,¡± Armstrong said. ¡°Anytime I feel something out of the ordinary, I¡¯m going to say something. Doctors tend to think it was a tweak in the middle finger flexor. Not really anything serious. I¡¯m just ready to get back out there.¡±
Mancini rests
Mired in an 8-for-45 funk, Trey Mancini was given Saturday's game against the Rays off in what Hyde described as a routine break. Mancini, who is 2-for-his-past-16, had started 30 straight games dating back to July 22.
¡°He needs a breather,¡± Hyde said.