The Orioles placed relief pitcher Darren O’Day on the 10-day disabled list with a right shoulder strain prior to Friday’s series opener against the New York Yankees.
Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in the Bronx that O’Day experienced shoulder discomfort after Tuesday’s outing against Pittsburgh, which had been his only work since last Friday. The 34-year-old dealt with what was described by Showalter as a “tired” shoulder last month and spent more than a month on the DL late last season with a right shoulder rotator cuff strain, making the latest issue that much more concerning for an Orioles bullpen already without closer Zach Britton.
O’Day got off to a rocky start this season before looking like his normal self beginning in May, recording a 2.08 ERA and 22 strikeouts over his last 13 innings of work. His absence now leaves an already-depleted bullpen with only two trusted relievers from last year’s wild-card team: right-handers Brad Brach and Mychal Givens.
Right-handed pitcher Stefan Crichton was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to take O’Day’s place on the 25-man roster.
According to Showalter, Britton’s rehabilitation from a left forearm strain continues to go well in Sarasota. The two-time All-Star selection has completed two bullpen sessions and will graduate to throwing live batting practice next week. The Orioles hope he can return before next month’s All-Star break.
In other injury-related news, center fielder Adam Jones returned to the lineup Friday after receiving Thursday off to rest a sore ankle. However, third baseman Manny Machado remained sidelined with a left wrist strain and may still go to the DL unless there’s improvement over the next couple days.
Catcher Welington Castillo was playing for Double-A Bowie in Trenton Friday night and could be activated from the DL as early as Saturday.
