In a move anticipated for a few days, the Orioles officially placed shortstop J.J. Hardy on the 15-day disabled list and recalled right-handed pitcher Brad Bergesen from Triple-A Norfolk prior to the start of the series opener with the New York Yankees on Wednesday night.
Hardy has gone to Sarasota to rehab a strained left oblique and the move is retroactive to April 10. The new shortstop was batting .200 with two runs batted in in six games this season.
Bergesen was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk last Saturday to clear room for the arrival of relief pitcher Chris Jakubauskas to aid a taxed bullpen last weekend. Originally slated to make the start against the Yankees on Wednesday before the rainout pushed Chris Tillman back a day, Bergesen is now slotted to make his second start of the season in Cleveland on Sunday.
The Orioles would benefit from an opportunity to use Bergesen out of the bullpen briefly on Wednesday or Thursday to prevent a 10-day stretch between outings before making the start against the Indians. Despite being optioned to the Tides, Bergesen never reported to Norfolk and remained with the team after making his only start of the season on April 6.
He allowed two earned runs in 3 2/3 innings of work in a loss to the Detroit Tigers at Camden Yards.
Be sure to follow us on Twitter (@WNST) for analysis throughout the Orioles’ abbreviated two-game set with the New York Yankees in the Bronx.
