More Oriole Roster Moves

The Baltimore Orioles are now in a tie with the Tampa Bay Rays for 1st place in the AL East. This is partially because Tommy Hunter has been awful lately to lose the Orioles the best record in baseball. During his last start he couldn't get past the 4th inning. Because of his poor pitching, the Orioles optioned Hunter today. It is the 2nd time this season that Hunter has been optioned. The first time Hunter was optioned he didn't actually go to Norfolk because another player went on the DL so he was recalled. This time he is going down and there is no telling how long he will be down there.

Recalled in Hunter's place is Miguel Gonzalez. The pitcher was not on the Orioles 40 man roster, but with the roster at 39, Gonzalez was simply added. He signed with the Orioles as a minor league free agent February 28th. Last year he was with the Red Sox pitching in Single A, Double A, and Triple A. Through 5 minor league seasons Gonzalez was 18-22 with a 3.92 ERA. This season though Gonzalez has been much better pitching to a 2-1 record with one save and a 1.50 ERA. He was as deserving as anybody of a promotion.

In addition to that, Endy Chavez is on his way back off the disabled list. Unfortunately, for Xavier Avery, that means Avery is on his way out. Avery started out amazingly with the birds, but has cooled as of late. He is in a 3-30 slump and was 0-3 with 3 strikeouts last night. If you asked me last week if I would be upset with Avery being sent out I would have said yes. However, now I say that since Chavez is back it is ok. Probably better for Avery to get the extra work at Norfolk. If Reimold is done for the year though, I would not keep Avery down for too long.

-Noland