After showing interest at different times going back to last winter, the Orioles have acquired left-handed pitcher Joe Saunders from the Arizona Diamondbacks to aid in their playoff push.
Also receiving cash in the deal, the club has agreed to send right-handed reliever Matt Lindstrom and a player to be named later to the Diamondbacks.
The 31-year-old Saunders is 6-10 with a 4.22 earned run average over 21 starts this season. In 130 innings of work, Saunders has struck out 89 and walked 31 while allowing 17 home runs.
Saunders is 75-62 with a 4.17 ERA in eight major league seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and Diamondbacks.
Lindstrom was acquired along with starting pitcher Jason Hammel in the Jeremy Guthrie trade in early February. He was 1-0 with a 2.72 ERA in 36 1/3 innings of work this season despite being sidelined in early May with a finger injury that would keep him out for six weeks.
Saunders’ numbers aren’t exactly overwhelming, but he does bring a veteran presence to the mix as the Orioles try to continue the push for their first postseason appearance in 15 years. Lindstrom pitched well for the club, but he had largely become an afterthought in high-leverage situations after returning from the disabled list in June, making him expendable.
The Orioles also announced prior to Sunday’s game that right-handed pitcher Jake Arrieta has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.
