Baltimore Orioles: Big Sunday Afternoon Roster Shakeup

The Baltimore Orioles have announced several big roster moves ahead of their Sunday afternoon game against the Minnesota Twins.

Earlier this morning, contributing writer Chuck Boemmel took a look at several minor league roster moves that have taken place over the weekend, including top prospect Yusniel Diaz finding his way onto the Injured List. Now, the Baltimore Orioles have announced several big moves at the major league level.

If you were a fan of catcher Jesus Sucre, I have some bad news for you.

The Baltimore Orioles announced that Jesus Sucre has been designated for assignment. Austin Wynns will replace Sucre on the active roster this afternoon in Minnesota. Sucre played in 20 games for the O’s, hitting .210 with a .269 on-base percentage, two doubles, three runs driven in, and three runs scored in his brief time in Baltimore. He also logged a scoreless inning on the mound in one of the more entertaining moments of the 2019 season (O’s fans have to take joyful moments when they can).

Sucre wasn’t signed to provide offensive support to the lineup. The Orioles top catchers (Wynns and Chance Sisco) are far from being quality defensive catchers, hence the addition of Sucre and Pedro Severino in the offseason. Always emotional behind the plate, Sucre gunned down four of eight base stealers this season, only 10 other catchers in baseball have successfully thrown out more base runners (one of those being Orioles catcher Pedro Severino with five).

I find it hard to believe that Sucre passes through waivers or another team doesn’t come calling to allow Sucre to remain in the organization. Sucre has also never seemed open to playing in the minors since signing his offseason deal with the Orioles.

Since returning from an oblique injury, Austin Wynns has played in nine games between AA Bowie and AAA Norfolk, hitting .333 with a .487 OBP (4 strikeouts/9 walks).

Alex Cobb can’t stay healthy for the Baltimore Orioles.

For the third time this season, Alex Cobb has made his way to the Injured List. It’s only April 28th. Cobb was supposed to be the Opening Day starter for the Baltimore Orioles, however, he’s been a disaster in 2019.

Blame it on not being healthy all year or, if you’re Cobb, the juiced baseballs, but the excuses are a little ridiculous at this point. Cobb is 0-2 with a 10.95 ERA in three starts. He’s given up nine home runs in 12 innings. Something isn’t right and, hopefully, Cobb remains on the shelf until he is fully healthy again.

Cobb isn’t the only pitcher being moved today. Reliever Jimmy Yacabonis has been optioned to AAA Norfolk after a fallout against the Twins on Saturday.

In his two innings, Yacabonis gave up four earned runs on four hits, walking one and striking out none. Three of those four hits were home runs, raising his earned run average to 6.32. This after giving up three earned runs in 2/3 of an inning one week earlier against Minnesota.

Replacing Cobb and Yacabonis on the active roster are Luis Ortiz and Branden Kline. Kline rejoins the Orioles after making his emotional major league debut last week. His 2019 results in the minors haven’t matched his electric capabilities, however, Kline’s backstory and local ties have made him an instant fan favorite, deservedly so.

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Ortiz joined the organization last season as part of the Jonathan Schoop trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. A former first-round pick of the Texas Rangers, Ortiz is 0-2 with a 5.87 ERA in four starts with the Norfolk Tides this season.

Ortiz looks great after dropping more than 20 pounds this offseason, but he’s been wild and inconsistent in the minors. Having watched each of his AAA starts, it’s clear that Ortiz isn’t ready for the major leagues, but here we are. The Orioles need pitchers to log innings and their options are severely limited.

In 15 innings, Ortiz has given up three home runs, 10 earned runs, and has walked more hitters (11) than he has struck out (8). Opponents are hitting .313 against him.

The Baltimore Orioles will try and salvage a win against the Twins on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 pm. Dylan Bundy (0-3, 6.56 ERA) will take the mound against Kyle Gibson (1-0, 6.10 ERA).