Orioles option Zac Lowther

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

April 05, 2022, 6:46am

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DUNEDIN, Fla. - Zac Lowther isn’t breaking camp with the Orioles.

One of the pitching questions has been resolved.

The Orioles announced this morning that Lowther was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, removing him as a candidate to start or work in a tandem role coming out of the bullpen.

Lowther walked four Pirates batters yesterday in 2 1/3 innings and was tagged with four runs. He made two appearances in exhibition games and allowed four runs and five hits with five walks and four strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

Today’s move leaves the Orioles with 39 players in camp, and they must get down to 28 by noon Thursday. Adley Rutschman, Shed Long Jr., Isaac Mattson and Rico Garcia have been in rehab mode at spring training and will be removed from the roster.

John Means, Jordan Lyles and Tyler Wells are confirmed starters on the opening day roster, and Bruce Zimmermann is expected to join them. Dean Kremer is making a bid as well.

Wells will work in a tandem setup, but Lowther no longer is an option to join him.

Lowther made 10 appearances last season as a rookie, including six starts, and compiled a 6.67 ERA and 1.652 WHIP in 29 2/3 innings. He walked 13 batters and struck out 30.

The left-hander joins a rotation in Norfolk that includes Grayson Rodriguez, Alexander Wells and Kevin Smith. Kyle Bradish eventually will report to the Tides after staying back in Sarasota to build more innings.

Smith is starting tonight’s opener.