Paul Fry could have taken Ryan Meisinger on a tour of Camden Yards earlier today. Fry spent two whole days here last April, making him a more qualified guide.
The Orioles selected the contracts of both pitchers from Triple-A Norfolk while optioning Jimmy Yacabonis and Yefry Ramirez . They also moved reliever Darren O'Day to the 60-day disabled list and designated infielder Corban Joseph for assignment to open spots on the 40-man roster.
Meisinger said he wasn't worried about the Orioles promoting him for the first time after moving up from Double-A Bowie to Norfolk last month.
"I was just trying to put myself in the best situation and it was unbelievable last night when I got the news after the game," Meisinger said. "It's a dream come true."
Meisinger posted a 4.42 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 18 1/3 innings with Bowie, but a 2.05 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 22 innings with Norfolk after moving up the organizational ladder.
"I dealt with some mechanical issues early on, John Wasdin and Kennie Steenstra in Bowie figured that out and then I kind of took off from there," he said. "I moved up to Norfolk and I've been there about a month or so and I've had success there.
"I just try to get after it. I'm not really afraid of hitters."
Meisinger has local ties as a native of Prince Frederick in Calvert County whose parents still live in Dunkirk. He attended Northern High School in Owings.
"I grew up watching the Orioles with Cal Ripken and all those guys, so it's very exciting," he said. "I have a lot of family around, a lot of friends in town, so we'll see what happens."
His father sent a text message requesting 18 tickets for tonight's game.
"We'll see what happens, if I get in there or not," he said.
Fry also is waiting to make his major league debut. His two days spent in Baltimore didn't include an appearance.
The left-hander also found out last night that the Orioles selected his contract and said, "I was completely shocked and wasn't expecting it." Manager Buck Showalter sought multiple opinions on both pitchers, including catcher Caleb Joseph.
Fry posted a 3.47 ERA and 1.11 WHIP this year in 13 games with the Tides and left-handers are batting a combined .194/.286/.323 against him at Bowie and Norfolk.
"I was struggling with it for a second there" Fry said, "but I got my consistency in the strike zone back and that's all I can hope for."
Well, perhaps a longer stay.
"Just being around the guys all the time, it was a great learning experience," he said. "I got the heart racing. I warmed up twice, so I'll probably black out tonight, but I'm ready.
"It would be a dream come true. You work so long for this and it's a dream come true. That's all I can say."
Fry has been paying attention to the Orioles and is aware of how the season fell apart and the host of injuries that struck the roster.
"That's the parent club and it is what it is," he said, "but you've just got to bring what you can do to the club every day."
The Orioles kept dipping into the system for fresh arms while bypassing Fry, who didn't assume that his turn was coming.
"I was really excited and shocked, like I said, but when I see the work that everyone's putting in, everyone deserved it," he said. "Wherever you are. They're all putting in the work. So, I wasn't surprised by a lot of the guys."
Being back on the 40-man roster after the Orioles designated him last summer increases his chances of returning at any point in the season.
"If they need me, then that's great," he said. "The 40-man roster helps you be in that position. It's one call away, where you don't have to make a crazy move for it. I'm excited."
The Orioles released left-hander Jayson Aquino.
Five players from Bowie's roster were chosen to the Eastern League All-Star Game on July 11 in Trenton, N.J., including Joseph, who doesn't know whether he's staying in the organization. He was joined by pitchers Keegan Akin and Luis Gonzalez, third baseman Ryan Mountcastle and catcher Martin Cervenka.
The Orioles have placed a bundle of white lilies and today's edition of the Capital Gazette at the press box seat reserved for reporters at the newspaper, including veteran scribe John McNamara, who was among five victims of Thursday's shooting. The team will hold a moment of silence before the game.
For the Angels
Kole Calhoun RF
Mike Trout CF
Justin Upton LF
Albert Pujols DH
Andrelton Simmons SS
Luis Valbuena 1B
Ian Kinsler 2B
Martin Maldonado C
David Fletcher 3B
Felix Peña RHP
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