Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reports that the Orioles have settled on David Hernandez as their fifth starter, sending 22-year-old Chris Tillman to the minors this afternoon.
One of the best pitching prospects in baseball, Tillman made his big-league debut in July of last season and went 2-5 with a 5.40 ERA in a dozen starts for the Orioles. He entered camp as the presumptive favorite for the final rotation spot and pitched reasonably well in five spring outings, but the potential benefits of some additional seasoning in the minors and a 20/3 K/BB ratio from Hernandez sealed his fate.
Hernandez went 4-10 with a 5.42 ERA in 101.1 innings as a 24-year-old rookie last season, but a mid-90s fastball and 618 strikeouts in 534.2 innings as a minor leaguer give him significant upside if his control improves. He’ll join Opening Day starter Kevin Millwood, Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Matusz, and Brad Bergeson in the Orioles’ rotation, with Tillman waiting in the wings.
Yankees clear 3 roster spots, could activate Stanton, Donaldson, Kahnle on Friday
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
LOS ANGELES — Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson and Tommy Kahnle appear set to rejoin the New York Yankees ahead of their series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
New York cleared three roster spots, saying that infielder-outfielders Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero had been optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along with left-hander Matt Krook after a 1-0 loss at Seattle.
Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset. Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15.
Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring originally sustained on April 5.
Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run and one hit and walking two. He has been out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis.
Boone said he wasn’t concerned about Stanton potentially returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees.