On the morning of Game 1 of the American League Division Series, the Orioles announced their series roster with right-handed pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez the most surprising inclusion against the Detroit Tigers.
Manager Buck Showalter kept 11 pitchers and 14 position players for the best-of-five series with Jimenez and fellow right-hander Brad Brach included in the bullpen and left-handers T.J. McFarland and Brian Matusz left off the roster. With the Tigers lineup leaning heavily to the right side and feasting off southpaw pitching this season — hitting .285 against lefties — Showalter likely preferred Jimenez over McFarland as his long man in the pen.
With Jimenez’s ability to provide length in the event of extra innings or a starter being knocked out early, Showalter will have the luxury of shortening up right-hander Kevin Gausman to pitch in high-leverage situations in the late innings. Though he finished his first season in Baltimore with a 4.81 ERA and lost his spot in the starting rotation, Jimenez posted a 3.27 ERA in 11 innings during the month of September.
Of the Orioles’ 14 position players, infielders Kelly Johnson and Jimmy Paredes both made it along with speedy outfielder David Lough as it was unclear if all three would make the cut. Lough made it over outfielder Quintin Berry, who was primarily used as a pinch runner in the month of September.
Below is the ALDS roster, which can be altered should the Orioles advance to the AL Championship Series.
CATCHERS
Nick Hundley (R)
Caleb Joseph (R)
INFIELDERS
Ryan Flaherty (L)
J.J. Hardy (R)
Kelly Johnson (L)
Jimmy Paredes (S)
Steve Pearce (R)
Jonathan Schoop (R)
OUTFIELDERS
Nelson Cruz (R)
Alejandro De Aza (L)
Adam Jones (R)
David Lough (L)
Nick Markakis (L)
Delmon Young (R)
STARTING PITCHERS
LHP Wei-Yin Chen
RHP Miguel Gonzalez
RHP Bud Norris
RHP Chris Tillman
RELIEF PITCHERS
RHP Brad Brach
LHP Zach Britton
RHP Kevin Gausman
RHP Tommy Hunter
RHP Ubaldo Jimenez
LHP Andrew Miller
RHP Darren O’Day
