Orioles claim Kriske off waivers

The Orioles claimed right-hander Brooks Kriske off waivers from the Yankees this afternoon and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk.

Pitcher Jorge López was transferred to the 60-day injured list to open a spot on the 40-man roster. López is done for the season after spraining his right ankle.

Kriske, 27, was a sixth-round pick in 2016 out of USC who made eight relief appearances this summer and allowed 13 earned runs (14 total) and 12 hits in 7 2/3 innings. He walked six batters and struck out seven.

The minor league numbers are much more impressive.

Kriske has registered a 2.36 ERA and 1.070 WHIP in four seasons, with 176 strikeouts in 133 2/3 innings. He struck out 41 batters in 28 1/3 innings this season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but also walked 14.

The Yankees designated Krisle for assignment Tuesday and re-signed Sal Romano. He was optioned seven times during the summer.

Kriske's major league debut came against the Orioles on July 29, 2020 and consisted of a scoreless ninth inning with one walk and two strikeouts. He had the exact same numbers in his fourth and final appearance of the season against the Orioles in the second game of a Sept. 11 doubleheader in New York, also throwing 22 pitches.

Kriske has one minor league option remaining and a fastball that can exceed 95 mph..

The Orioles keep shuttling pitchers back and forth and already have used a club-record 59 this season.

Meanwhile, the Orioles will try to end their five-game losing streak later today before heading to Boston.

Ryan Mountcastle remains tied with Cal Ripken Jr. for the Orioles' single-season rookie home run record of 28. Cedric Mullins still needs one home run and two stolen bases for the first 30/30 season in franchise history.

Rookie Chris Ellis has a 2.55 ERA and 1.189 WHIP in four starts over 17 2/3 innings. He shut out the Yankees on one hit, tacked onto his line later after a scoring change, over five innings Sept. 4 in the Bronx.

Yankees left-hander Jordan Montgomery has a 3.71 ERA and 1.251 WHIP in 26 starts over 138 1/3 innings. He's made four starts against the Orioles this summer and allowed eight runs and 22 hits in 18 2/3 innings.

Trey Mancini is 9-for-21 (.429) with one home run lifetime against Montgomery. Pedro Severino is 4-for-11 (.364) with a double.

Mancini was scratched from yesterday's lineup with soreness in his right oblique/abdomen. Severino was out of the lineup due to soreness in his leg/groin.

They stayed on the bench last night.