Gabriel Ynoa on rejoining the Orioles

An Orioles pitching staff that sports a 6.40 team ERA to rank last in the American League got a reinforcement today. The Orioles selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Gabriel Ynoa, and he joined the team from Triple-A Norfolk. Right-hander Mike Wright was designated for assignment after pitching to an ERA of 9.45 in 10 games. Ynoa will wear No. 64.

"I feel very happy. Excited to be here. And happy to be here to help the team," the 25-year-old Ynoa said, through team interpreter Ramón Alarcón.

Ynoa came off the 40-man roster in the offseason and signed a minor league deal with the Orioles in late January. He missed all of last season in the majors due to a right shin stress reaction and later dealt with right shoulder inflammation. Ynoa threw just seven innings for Double-A Bowie. In 2017 he had a 4.15 ERA and 1.356 WHIP in nine games (four starts) with the Orioles.

Ynoa made three starts for Norfolk this season, going 1-0 with a 4.76 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 17 innings. He's allowed nine runs and 13 hits with six walks and 13 strikeouts.

Ynoa felt he was throwing well for the Tides.

"I was using my strengths, throwing my game and attacking the hitters as much as possible," he said. "Being aggressive and trying to pitch as many innings as possible."

Ynoa was keeping tabs on the Orioles and did know the pitching staff had been struggling. The rotation ERA is 6.04 and they have gone 17 games without a quality start. The bullpen ERA of 6.75 ranks last in the AL.

"I was keeping track of the team and what was going on," he said. "But at the same time my main focus was to work on my game, try to improve and trying to help my team out."

And today he's back in the majors. After his injury-plagued 2018 season, which ended with his removal from the 40-man roster, he still felt he could get back to Baltimore.

"I didn't lose hope," Ynoa said. "Those are the kind of things that happen to baseball players. Fortunately, I was able to overcome that. I always knew there was an opportunity and that I could always come back."