Orioles set to add Shepherd to staff

The Orioles are prepared to make another roster move later today after pitcher Chandler Shepherd joined them in San Diego last night while they were losing to the Padres 8-1.

The corresponding move could involve David Hess, who started last night. Or they could hold onto Hess and keep him in the rotation.

Another pitcher could be optioned or the move could involve outfielder Dwight Smith Jr., who aggravated his calf injury last night. Getting a position player to the West Coast for a day game isn't easy.

Shepherd would be making his major league debut if he pitches.

The Orioles claimed Shepherd off waivers from the Cubs on May 22 and optioned him to Norfolk. It happened on the same day that they acquired outfielder Keon Broxton from the Mets for international signing bonus slots, designated pitcher Yefry Ramirez for assignment and transferred starter Alex Cobb to the 60-day injured list.

A lot has happened since then. Broxton was designated for assignment and claimed off waivers by the Mariners, Ramirez was traded to the Pirates for a player to be named later or cash and Cobb underwent hip surgery.

The Red Sox drafted Shepherd in the 13th round in 2014 out of the University of Kentucky. The Cubs claimed him off waivers earlier this year, shortly before he joined the Orioles organization.

Shepherd, 26, appeared in eight games with Triple-A Pawtucket and was 0-5 with a 10.01 ERA and 2.326 WHIP in 29 2/3 innings. He surrendered 11 home runs while still trying to grow comfortable in a starting role.

In nine games with the Tides, including seven starts, Shepherd has gone 0-4 with a 7.15 ERA and 1.744 WHIP and struck out 43 batters in 39 innings.

Dillon Tate made his major league debut last night and surrendered a three-run homer to Eric Hosmer in the seventh inning.

The Orioles already have used a club-record 34 pitchers, including position players Stevie Wilkerson, Chris Davis, Hanser Alberto and Jesús Sucre. The previous record was 30 set last year.

Tom Eshelman is starting today to close out the road trip.

The Orioles switched after listing Eshelman as following an opener. He's now taking the ball first.

The Padres are sending right-hander Dinelson Lamet to the mound. He made 21 starts with them in 2017 and none last summer after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He's 0-2 with a 5.00 ERA and 1.389 WHIP and has struck out 25 batters in 18 innings in four starts this summer.

Right-handed hitters are slashing .154/.245/.313 in his 25 major league starts. Jace Peterson is the only Orioles player to face him, going 0-for-2 with a strikeout.

Jonathan Villar had two more hits last night and is 12-for-23 since going 0-for-15 in Arizona.