Spenser Watkins, who started 30 games on the mound for the Orioles between 2021 and 2022, was designated for assignment Tuesday, the club announced amid a flurry of roster moves.
The 30-year-old right-hander was recalled twice this season, including as the 26th man on Saturday in Chicago, to add length to Baltimore’s bullpen, but he didn’t pitch in either instance.
The Orioles recalled right-handed reliever Logan Gillaspie to replace Watkins on the 26-man roster, and Baltimore selected the contract of catcher Anthony Bemboom to replace Watkins on the 40-man roster.
Watkins, who missed a month earlier this year with a cut on his right ring finger, had a 7.27 ERA and a 1.92 WHIP in 26 innings in Triple-A this season. In 160 innings with the Orioles in 2021 and 2022, Watkins was 7-13 with a 5.85 ERA and 5.5 strikeouts per nine innings.
He made his major league debut with Baltimore in 2021 after joining the organization on a minor league deal earlier that year. He struggled in his first stint in the show, allowing 49 earned runs in 54 2/3 innings for an 8.07 ERA, but he bounced back with a solid 4.70 ERA in 105 1/3 innings in 2022. As the Orioles became playoff contenders last summer, Watkins was an integral part of the club’s rotation, posting a 2.47 ERA in nine starts between June 25 and Aug. 24.
He competed for a spot in Baltimore’s rotation this spring but lost out to a starting corps that added veterans Kyle Gibson and Cole Irvin in the offseason.
Gillaspie, a 26-year-old former Independent League pitcher, opened the season with the Orioles but was sent down after struggling. In 6 2/3 innings between two stints with Baltimore, Gillaspie has a 2.40 WHIP and 6.75 ERA. In 18 innings with Triple-A Norfolk, Gillaspie has a 3.50 ERA and 19 strikeouts.
Bemboom also opened the season with the Orioles with James McCann on the injured list with an oblique strain, but he was designated for assignment in mid-April. He’s back in Baltimore now with McCann back on the shelf with a sprained left ankle. The 33-year-old journeyman has a .278 batting average and a .755 OPS for the Tides this year. In 206 major league plate appearances, Bemboom has a career slash line of .158/.233/.262.
To make room for Bemboom on the 26-man roster, the Orioles optioned catcher José Godoy to Triple-A. The 28-year-old was on the Orioles’ taxi squad in Chicago when McCann was injured and was added to the 40-man roster, replacing right-hander Reed Garrett, for the final game against the Cubs. Godoy was the sixth catcher to spend time on Baltimore’s active roster this season.
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