López goes on bereavement list

The Orioles haven't announced their rotation for the series in Kansas City that begins Friday night, but it won't include Jorge López.

López was placed on the bereavement list this afternoon, a move that makes him unavailable until at least the series that follows against the Rays in St. Petersburg. Fla.

The bereavement list is used for a player needing to leave the team to attend to a serious illness or death in his immediate family or his spouse's immediate family. The player is required to miss a minimum of three games and no more than seven.

López is 2-12 with a 5.95 ERA and 1.630 WHIP in 18 starts and is averaging 10.6 hits and 4.0 walks per nine innings. His last start was Friday night against the White Sox at Camden Yards, when he allowed two runs and eight hits in four innings in a 12-1 loss.

The last winning decision for López came on June 6 against the Indians. His 12 losses lead the majors.

The rotation already was unsettled coming out of the break, with manager Brandon Hyde waiting to reveal his starters against the Royals. He indicated earlier this week that he'd likely push back López and Matt Harvey.

Hyde could go with some combination of Keegan Akin, Thomas Eshelman and Spenser Watkins. The club is allowed to call up a player from Triple-A Norfolk to replace López, and the corresponding roster move is expected on Friday.

Akin was temporarily moved to the bullpen, but Hyde indicated that the left-hander would return to the rotation at some point because the Orioles need starters.

Dean Kremer started last night for the Tides and allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings, with no walks and seven strikeouts. Left-hander Zac Lowther is starting tonight.

The Orioles follow their trip to Kansas City and St. Petersburg with a three-game series against the Nationals that begins July 23 at Camden Yards.

Meanwhile, the signing of undrafted free agents has began and the Orioles reached agreements with University of Virginia catcher Logan Michaels and University of Miami right-hander Daniel Federman.

The maximum bonus amount allowed is $20,000.

Michaels, 22, is a right-handed hitter who batted .286/.369/.357 in three seasons. He had 19 doubles, two home runs and 56 RBIs in 414 plate appearances.

Federman, 22, was 9-14 with a 3.13 ERA, 1.198 WHIP and 11 saves in four seasons. He averaged nine strikeouts per nine innings.

Federman made nine starts among his 86 appearances.