O's release Blach, set start time for suspended game (updated)

The 60-man player pool no longer is full for the Orioles.

The team announced this morning that it released left-hander Ty Blach, who was on the injured list after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Blach wasn't on the 40-man roster, which is full, but his removal from the pool allows the Orioles to bring in another player.

Pitcher Jorge López was claimed off waivers yesterday from the Royals and tossed into the pool. He's out of minor league options and set to join the team this week after undergoing COVID-19 testing.

Blach had his surgery on July 15, six days after making an early exit from his intrasquad appearance at Camden Yards. His second inning was halted, pitching coach Doug Brocail left the stands to check on him and Hector Velázquez entered in the third.

Though unlikely to make the opening day rotation, Blach was viewed as a potential long reliever and swingman. He made five starts last season and allowed 26 earned runs (27 total) and 32 hits in 20 2/3 innings.

The Orioles selected Blach off waivers from the Giants on Aug. 3, 2019.

Also, the Orioles announced today that the suspended game against the Nationals will resume at 5:05 p.m. Friday night at Camden Yards.

The Nationals will be the home team after their grounds crew yesterday failed to get the tarp on the field during a heavy rainstorm. The Orioles led 5-2 and had two runners on base and one out in the top of the sixth inning.

The field was deemed unplayable and Major League Baseball applied Rule 7.02(a), which includes the following explanation for suspending a game:

"Light failure, malfunction of, or unintentional operator error in employing, a mechanical or field device or equipment under the control of the home club (e.g., a retractable roof, a tarpaulin, or other water removal equipment)"

The regularly scheduled nine-inning regulation game will begin 45 minutes after the completion of the suspended game.

Update: The Orioles placed López, claimed off waivers yesterday from the Royals, on the injured list.

This is done as a roster mechanism while he undergoes safety and health protocols prior to joining the 28-man roster. The intake testing and waiting for the results.