Harvey shut down, Duquette on trade deadline

Hunter Harvey, one of the Orioles' prized young pitching prospects, is done for the season after an MRI on his right elbow revealed a strained flexor mass.

Harvey, the 22nd overall pick in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Bandys (N.C.) High School, has been shut down and continues to receive treatment to reduce the inflammation.

Harvey, 19, was 7-5 with a 3.18 ERA in 17 starts with Single-A Delmarva. He allowed 66 hits, walked 33 and struck out 106 in 87 2/3 innings.

Teams have inquired about Harvey's availability in trade talks, but the Orioles aren't willing to part with him. His injury shouldn't have an impact on the non-waiver deadline.

"Hunter saw our doctors yesterday and he has an issue with his elbow, so he won't be pitching anymore the rest of the season," said executive vice president Dan Duquette.

"I need to learn a little more about it. He's had a good year and he has distinguished himself as a top young pitcher and I think he needs a rest period."

Surgery isn't being considered.

"He has some inflammation in his elbow and I believe he has a strain," Duquette said. "He needs a period of rest."

Reminded that other teams coveted Harvey, Duquette smiled and replied, "Yeah, obviously, but he's with the Orioles."

Duquette said he has a "couple of active discussions" regarding potential trades, "but we had some discussions that are no longer active from yesterday."

"We've been able to see where we can try to make a trade and help our ballclub," Duquette added. "Some of the long-term prospects for our pitching we think are very valuable to the long-term sustainability of the organization, and I think that's a real important component to have a good team year in and year out.

"I think if we were to err with our young pitchers, we would be conservative and we'd try to give them a long trial in the big leagues before we traded them."

Duquette said he'd be interested in adding pitchers "that could help us at the top of our rotation."

"I mean, who wouldn't be?" he asked.

However, Duquette stated yesterday that he was focused on adding depth to his pitching staff rather than trying to make a big move.

Has anything changed in the last 24 hours?

"Nope," he replied.

So what about the Jon Lester rumors?

"I don't know really what the rumors are," he said.

According to reports, the Orioles are closing in on a deal for Lester.

"Well, that would be news to me," Duquette said.

"We're still talking to a number of teams. We have not consummated a deal yet, but we're talking to a couple of teams. We'll be able to add some people to our organization."