O's activate RHP Thyago Vieira for the bullpen

Ahead of their series- and homestand-opening game with the Boston Red Sox this afternoon, the Orioles have activated right-handed pitcher Thyago Vieira and optioned lefty Nick Vespi back to Triple-A Norfolk.

On Saturday afternoon the O's sent Triple-A pitcher Garrett Stallings to the Milwaukee Brewers and acquired right-handers Vieira and minor leaguer Aneuris Rodriguez. Rodriguez is heading down to the Florida Complex League while Vieira now joins the big club and will wear No. 40.

Vieira, 31, had a 5.64 ERA, 1.701 WHIP and one save in 16 appearances with the Brewers. He owns a career 6.18 ERA and 1.667 WHIP in 41 games with the Mariners, White Sox and Brewers since making his major league debut in 2017. He pitched in Japan from 2020-22.

Vieira throws some high-octane fastballs, with a two-seam sinker that averages 96.9 mph and a four-seamer at 97.7 mph. He’s averaging 4.9 walks per nine innings in the majors to go with nine strikeouts. He’s averaged 4.5 walks in 10 minor league seasons.

The Brewers designated Vieira for assignment on Monday. He’s out of options.

Vespi has been on that Norfolk-Baltimore shuttle the last two years and has been on it a lot recently. The Orioles added him as the 27th man for Wednesday's second game at St. Louis and then was sent back out. Then he was recalled again during the Chicago series on Friday. He pitched a scoreless inning on 11 pitches Wednesday in St. Louis. That is his only big league appearance of 2024.

This year at Triple-A he has gone 2-1 with a 3.22 ERA in 11 games covering 22 1/3 innings.

The O's bullpen got a bit of rest on Sunday when Kyle Bradish pitched seven no-hit innings, but Danny Coulombe, Yennier Cano and Craig Kimbrel were still used to get the last six outs, with Kimbrel getting his 12th save.

O's starting pitchers allowed five runs and 12 hits in 22 innings in Chicago.