The Orioles on Tuesday announced that they’ve selected the contract of catcher Anthony Bemboom from Triple-A Norfolk. As was previously reported, the team designated righty Spenser Watkins for assignment in order to open a spot on the roster. Baltimore also announced that catcher Jose Godoy has been optioned to Norfolk, while righty Logan Gillaspie has been recalled in his place. Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com first reported that Bemboom’s contract was being selected back to the 40-man roster.
The 33-year-old Bemboom appeared in two games with the O’s earlier this season received just three plate appearances. He’s a career .158/.233/.268 hitter in 206 Major League plate appearances split between the Rays, Angels and Orioles, though he’s had quite a bit more success than that in Triple-A. That includes so far in 2023, when the journeyman backstop has delivered a .278/.366/.389 slash with a home run and as many walks (nine) as strikeouts in 82 trips to the plate.
Bemboom has typically served as a backup, both in the big leagues and in the upper minors. He’s generally lacking in power but carries a strong 33% caught-stealing rate (22% so far in 2023). Bemboom regularly delivers average or better marks in terms of pitch-framing and in Defensive Runs Saved. Backup catcher James McCann was recently placed on the injured list due to an ankle sprain, and Bemboom will head to the big leagues to back up Adley Rutschman.
The Orioles could have designated Godoy for assignment and kept Watkins as pitching depth, though they perhaps feel Watkins has the better chance at passing through waivers and thus remaining with the organization. They could also have kept Godoy as the backup to Rutschman, though Bemboom has more familiarity with the staff dating back to his time with the O’s last season.
Bemboom goes the dynanite
“Where’s the Bemboom? There was supposed to be an Earth-shattering Bemboom!”
Here comes the (bem)Boom!
What further development do they think Cowser and Westburg need to be on the big league roster? Both are killing it, have low K rates, above average fielders.. Do the Orioles believe they are a better team without them right now than with them?
Well they are 44-27 and having one of their best seasons in who knows how long. There is such a thing as team chemistry and when it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! The plan is working and I wouldn’t question it at this point.
I think both Cowser and Westburg are both in Os long term plans. IMO, the team is doing so well with the existing roster that chemistry trumps their call ups. Things are going so amazingly well, that I like how they can afford to bring up the likes of an Ortiz (and a Stowers) from time to time for some exposure. IMO, neither in the O’s plans. IE trade bait.
Well, they don’t need them right now. Westburg will likely never be called up as an oriole and will be traded at the deadline.
Pretty sure captain armchair GM was also upset at the lopez trade last year.
Just sit back and have fun.
Hicks and O’hearn have been so good that we’ve not needed to start the clock.
Tough to get everyday abs on the O’s team as it currently stands. The two of them are almost back also. I don’t think they want to call them up to send them back down in a week or sit on the bench.
We have to play the 40 man game here too. We need a space for Bemboom or Godoy with McCann out. Tate will be taking a 40 man slot soon also. Doesn’t give us a lot of roster flexibility if we add 2 permanent fixtures in Cowser and Westy.
If I’m am the Cubs, I am figuring out which of my starting pitchers I can trade to get 3B Coby Mayo, who is killing it in AA and has no real path to the majors behind Westburg.
We’ll take Justin Steele! Mayo, if he stays with the O’s will end up at 1st base or possibly the outfield!
… we need either of those guys more than bullpen help (Gillaspie) and a backup catcher while McCann is on the shelf? Nope.
I don’t think he’s arguing about the moves today. But he’s not wrong. Cowser has a path to everyday playing time right now. You Have Lester or Mckenna that could easily get DFA’d or go down. Westburg prob doesn’t come up until the deadline but has nothing else to prove in AAA
Cowser has a path to near everyday PT until Mullins comes back. That should be real soon. Lester will be DFA’d when Mounty comes back, I believe:
Boom Tony!
Wasn’t he Rodney Dangerfield’s doctor?
One of the best names in baseball. Its too bad the bat doesn’t match the name.
Not a lot of “boom” in that bat though…
I like the O’s, but it seems they’re changing the roster every day with players that aren’t going to contribute much…..if anything at all.
Are they bringing these guys up to work with the coaches for a few days?
Honestly, I thought that with Hicks and O’Hearn. If you add Colombe… I have to say, I don’t know crap about “seeing something” that they can work on. Bravo to the FO.
I think that some of the catcher swapping is just a matter of getting warm bodies at the backstop bc of injuries.
I’d expect that the Lester experiment is nearly over.
I believe Bemboom just came back from an injury. They called up Godoy because they were in a pinch for a C
Old Carnac(Johnny Carson) the Magnificent joke
A. Sssss bah boom!!!
Q. What sound does a sheep make when it explodes?
It was actually sisssss boom bah