Orioles claim Ellis and DFA Valdez

The Orioles made their latest bullpen move this afternoon, claiming right-hander Chris Ellis off waivers from the Rays and designating César Valdez for assignment.

Left-hander Ryan Hartman cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.

Ellis, 28, made his second major league appearance Tuesday night against the Orioles and earned the win with four scoreless innings in relief. He allowed three hits, walked one, struck out seven and was designated for assignment to create room for Ryan Yarbrough's return from the COVID-19 list.

The Rays also make a lot of moves with their bullpen.

This is the seventh organization for Ellis, who was chosen by the Rangers in the 2018 Rule 5 draft and immediately had his contract purchased by the Royals.

Ellis, selected by the Angels in the third round of the 2014 amateur draft out of the University of Mississippi, won't be in the bullpen tonight. Valdez, meanwhile, is in limbo after making 38 appearances and registering a 5.76 ERA and 1.632 WHIP in 45 1/3 innings. He allowed 12. 1 hits per nine innings.

Valdez leads the club with eight saves in 12 chances but lost the closer's job and later went on the injured list with a lower back strain. He tried to pitch through the pain and couldn't do it.

Known for his "dead fish" changeup, Valdez didn't get a save opportunity after May 24 in Minnesota. He allowed runs in five of his seven appearances this month, including four home runs in 8 2/3 innings, posting a 7.27 ERA and 1.846 WHIP.

Valdez, signed out of the Mexican League, allowed only two earned runs in 14 1/3 innings last summer and had three saves after becoming the closer.

The Orioles begin their latest homestand tonight against the Braves while trying to end their losing streak at 15 games.

Jorge Mateo is carrying a 10-game hitting streak and has collected 17 hits in 13 games with the Orioles.

Ryan Mountcastle is attempting to extend his hitting streak to 12 games.

Left-hander Keegan Akin gets another start, his 11th this season. He's 0-7 with an 8.13 ERA and 1.824 WHIP in 17 games.

Akin was outstanding in a Sept. 16, 2020 start against the Braves at Camden Yards, when he blanked them on three hits in five innings and struck out nine batters.

Orioles starters have worked five innings or fewer in 10 consecutive games.

The Orioles won two of three games from the Braves last summer at Camden Yards, outscoring them 20-7. Their last three-game sweep in Baltimore was 2015. The Braves' last three-game sweep here was 2005.

Braves left-hander Max Fried is 10-7 with a 3.78 ERA and 1.286 WHIP in 20 starts. He's allowed only 11 home runs in 109 2/3 innings and has struck out 113 batters.

In Fried's last four starts, he's allowed four earned runs (five total) with four walks and 28 strikeouts over 25 innings. His splits this season are fairly even, with right-handers batting .255/.315/.383 and left-handers batting .255/.327/.388.

Fried has a 2.97 ERA and 1.145 WHIP in 10 home games and a 4.67 ERA and 1.442 WHIP in 10 road games. He's never faced the Orioles.

The Braves are 65-56 and hold a four-game lead in the National League East. They've won six in a row.

Down on the farm, Norfolk infielder Rylan Bannon hit two more home runs last night to give him eight in his last seven games. He also has 16 RBIs in that stretch, including six last night.