After a 13-inning game in which the struggling Orioles bullpen allowed an unseemly seven earned runs, changes were bound to be made on Wednesday.
Prior to the second game of a three-game set in Detroit, left-handed relief pitcher Donnie Hart was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk and No. 3 catcher Francisco Pena was designated for assignment to create open spots for fresh bullpen arms on the 25-man roster. Right-handed relievers Stefan Crichton and Miguel Castro were recalled to once again give Baltimore a seven-man bullpen.
Serving as the club’s lefty specialist since last August, Hart had been struggling over his last seven outings including Tuesday night when he was unable to protect a three-run lead in the bottom of the 12th inning. The 26-year-old had allowed six earned runs and 11 hits in his last six innings of work after now allowing an earned run in the entire month of April.
Pena’s designation comes as no surprise after starting catcher Welington Castillo was activated from the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday. It remains to be seen whether the 27-year-old will pass through waivers and remain with the organization after once again being removed from the 40-man roster.
Crichton made his major league debut last month and has allowed four earned runs and nine hits in three appearances for the Orioles covering 3 1/3 innings. He has a 1.56 ERA in 17 1/3 innings for Triple-A Norfolk this season.
Castro, 22, was acquired from Colorado in early April and owns a career 6.12 ERA in 31 1/3 major league innings over parts of two seasons. He had been pitching for Double-A Bowie, allowing one earned run in four innings.
