Righty Dan Straily is being shifted into the bullpen, the Orioles informed reporters including Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (via Twitter). It isn’t yet known who’ll step into his spot in the rotation.
This move wasn’t hard to see coming. The O’s added Straily for a low price at the outset of the year, with the idea that he’d help solidify the rotation. Unfortunately, that has just not happened.
While the 30-year-old has been a sturdy rotation piece for several years now, he has been drubbed in Baltimore. Over 34 2/3 innings, he carries a 9.09 ERA with just 18 strikeouts against 17 walks. Opposing hitters have already launched 14 long balls.
Straily is living outside of the zone (career-low 38.8%) in an effort to avoid that hard contact. He’s struggling to get swinging strikes (career-low 7.3%). Opposing hitters are putting the ball in the air against him more than ever before, with 20.6% of those flies leaving the yard.
While the O’s don’t have any particularly compelling replacement options, they are said to be browsing the market for pitching depth. If they can’t find a new arm quickly, they’ll need to look internally for at least one start. Just-claimed hurler Chandler Shepherd is one possibility. 40-man members Josh Rogers, Jimmy Yacabonis, and Luis Ortiz are also presently working at Triple-A. Southpaw Keegan Akin is there as well. He’s perhaps the most intriguing possibility, but would need a 40-man spot to be promoted.
realgone2
Need to move him to the unemployment line
andrewf
James Shields would do a better job at this rate.
andrewf
So would some of the guys fangraphs.com/leaders/minor-league?pos=all&lg… on here
DarkSide830
they need someone to start though…
andrewf
Hector Noesi would be great aside from allowing homers as he seems to be getting 4 K/BB in AAA.
DarkSide830
yes, but they need to aquire him first. you cant just move guys to the pen if you have no replacement plan.
andrewf
He’d cost some cash considerations like Andrew Albers did for the Mariners to acquire him in 2017. Remember how good Albers was back then?
Brennen
They should just do staff days. Similar to the Rays. Tell your pitchers I need 1-3 innings of focused pitching. No concerns over going deep in games. Remember the Rockies tried to do either 75 pitches or 4 innings? Now that didn’t work but somehow you need to soak up all these innings. They should stretch everyone to go at least 3 and NEVER worry about going deep. Maybe Bundy would find his fastball velo again??
Yankeedynasty
I can give up home runs and not throw strikes
partyatnapolis
and to think the marlins traded luis castillo for this guy
Brennen
If you get released by the Marlins you should consider your career at a serious crossroads. Should be thinking about pitching overseas after the orioles inevitably release him
jorge78
How did the 2019 Orioles become the 1962 Mets?
I remember the 1970’s glory years and it’s unfathomable…..
realgone2
Angelos
petrie000
Baseball evolved.
The Orioles ownership did not
This is usually true of all the current dead end teams. You can fight progress, but progress always wins.
Orioles are finally modernizing, though, so there’s hope
Ironman_4life
Where is hunter harvey ?
DolphLundgren
Struggling in AA. 8 starts, 10 HR allowed, 1.49 WHIP, 5.45 ERA.
Brennen
This is crazy to say but even Ubaldo wasn’t as bad as Straily
diller1340
I think this move will propel the orioles into the top spot in the AL east
realgone2
Stand up comedy is not a good career path for you.
diller1340
Why do you think I was joking?
DolphLundgren
Yac, Ortiz, Rogers, and Sheppard have ERAs higher than 6.87. Akin isn’t ready. Ysla and Herb are doing well in AAA, but they would need to be added to the 40man. Shoulda kept Yeffrey.
bravesfan
Funny how life works. Here’s a guy who’s been a pretty straight forward pitcher, guy u knew what to expect from… now, just tanks … crazy
Harmaxium
Bartolo Colon plz