Top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy was born just under a month before the Orioles signed 30-year-old free agent lefty Jamie Moyer in December 1992.
They’ll now be part of the same minor league system after Baltimore signed the 49-year-old Moyer to a minor-league deal on Wednesday. Moyer was released by the Colorado Rockies on June 4 after making 10 starts, going 2-5 with a 5.70 earned run average over 53 2/3 innings. He did not pitch in 2011 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Moyer will report to Triple-A Norfolk and is scheduled to pitch for the Tides in Buffalo on Saturday. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Boston the club plans to evaluate the geriatric pitcher over a few starts before making a decision on his status with the Orioles.
He is 269-209 with a 4.25 ERA in his astonishing career, playing for eight different teams including the Orioles.
The southpaw last pitched for Baltimore from 1993 through 1995, going 25-22 with a 4.41 ERA in 66 starts (75 games overall).
Though the Orioles are desperately looking for pitching depth, it’s difficult to fathom Moyer faring well in the American League with his fastball not even reaching 80 miles per hour in his 25th big league season. If nothing else, it makes for an interesting story tracking how he fares over the next couple weeks.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Orioles activated left-handed pitcher Zach Britton from the 60-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk. To make room for Britton on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Stu Pomeranz (strained oblique) was placed on the 60-day DL.
Britton made three combined rehab starts for Bowie and Norfolk, going 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA while striking out 13 and walking five over 18 innings pitched.
The decision to option Britton means he cannot be called up to the big leagues for at least 10 days unless replacing a player going on the disabled list.
