The Orioles demoted Trevor Rogers to Triple-A after just four starts, as another trade-deadline move failed
The Baltimore Orioles’ trade-deadline moves got messy Thursday when the club sent left-handed starter Trevor Rogers to Triple-A as part of a series of roster changes.
The Orioles acquired Rogers, 26, from the Miami Marlins before this year’s July 30 trade deadline in exchange for infielder Connor Norby and outfielder Kyle Stowers. In just four starts for Baltimore, Rogers has pitched to a 7.11 ERA and 5.01 FIP with 12 strikeouts and 10 unearned walks in 19 innings. Prior to the trade, Rogers had an ERA+ of 99 in 15 starts for the Marlins.
Rogers’ performance-based demotion came two days after the Orioles were forced to put their marquee deadline addition, veteran right-handed starter Zach Eflin, on the 15-day injured list because of inflammation in his throwing shoulder. Eflin, 30, has started four times for Baltimore since being acquired at the deadline from the Tampa Bay Rays. In that span, he put up a stellar 2.13 ERA (180 ERA+) and a 12.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio in those games. Although Eflin’s injury doesn’t appear to be serious at present, shoulder issues can be tricky for pitchers. Plus, losing some of Eflin’s starts could also prove crucial in a hotly contested American League East race.
On the other hand, lefty reliever Gregory Soto, acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in July, has given up eight runs in just 4 2/3 innings for the O’s. Baltimore appointed Seranthony Dominguez as the primary closer after general manager Mike Elias acquired him from those same Phillies last month. He has given up four home runs in 11 innings since the swap, and he already has two losses. Even the best relievers can certainly struggle in such small samples, but there’s also the risk of getting high-leverage bullpen help late in the season.
Related to the discussion of the Orioles’ unfortunate deadline work so far is the aforementioned standings of the AL East. Heading into Thursday’s slate of games, the Orioles are just a half-game behind the New York Yankees at the top of the division at 74-54. While the O’s are almost certain to make the postseason for the second consecutive year, the stakes are still high. The winner of the AL East will almost certainly be one of the top two division winners in the AL, as measured by overall record, and that will mean a first-round bye after the initial wild-card round. The O’s were certainly counting on these deadline additions to improve their stretch-drive fortunes, but that hasn’t happened yet, other than the now-injured Eflin.
