BALTIMORE — Moments before the start of their Saturday afternoon game against the Cleveland Indians, the Orioles announced the acquisition of veteran catcher Nick Hundley from the San Diego Padres in exchange for left-handed pitcher Troy Patton.
The deal also includes cash considerations and provides the Orioles with an established veteran option to complement current starter Steve Clevenger with Matt Wieters on the 15-day disabled list. Rookie Caleb Joseph remained on the roster for Saturday’s game but is expected to be sent down to make room for the 30-year-old Hundley.
Hundley was hitting .271 with a homer and three runs batted in in 59 at-bats for the Padres this season and is a career .238 hitter in seven seasons with San Diego. The right-handed hitter is considered a solid defensive option, so it will be interesting to see how the playing time is divided between Hundley and the more offensive-minded Clevenger.
Executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette has been searching for a veteran catching option since Wieters was sent to the DL earlier this month with right elbow soreness. The All-Star backstop continues to receive treatment and rest his elbow in hopes of avoiding Tommy John surgery, but his uncertain status made Hundley’s acquisition a necessity for at least the short-term future.
The 28-year-old Patton had struggled this season after serving a 25-game suspension for amphetamines use to start the year and had posted an 8.10 earned run average in nine appearances spanning 6 2/3 innings. Originally acquired from the Houston Astros in the Miguel Tejada in late 2007, Patton was 5-2 with a 3.26 ERA in 140 career appearances over five seasons with the Orioles.
With Hundley still in transit to Baltimore on Saturday afternoon, the Orioles recalled infielder Steve Lombardozzi to take Patton’s place on the 25-man roster for Saturday’s game, giving manager Buck Showalter additional infield depth with Manny Machado still sidelined with a groin injury.
The Orioles are expected to recall right-handed relief pitcher Preston Guilmet on Sunday to take Chris Davis’ spot as the first baseman will be going on short-term paternity leave as his wife is expecting the couple’s first child.
