Jack Flaherty joins the O's roster, set to start tomorrow in Toronto

TORONTO – Acquired by the Orioles just ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline for three minor league players, right-hander Jack Flaherty was activated and joined the Orioles today.

He will make his debut with his new club in Thursday’s series finale in Toronto at 3:07 p.m.

“It’s awesome. These guys have been playing unbelievable for them to be in first place,” Flaherty said of his new teammates today in his first interview as an Oriole. “To be playing the way they have all year, it’s special. Really lucky to come in here and join these guys.”

Flaherty went 7-6 with a 4.43 ERA in 20 starts for St. Louis. But since giving up 10 runs in a May 4 start against the Angels, he is 5-2 with a 3.58 ERA over his last 13 starts. He will wear No. 15 for the Orioles.

“Season is full of ups and downs," he said. "You get some rough ones and some good ones. I’ve done this it a little bit, and you learn from the ones that are rough. I’ve ironed some things out. It’s about performing now. Looking forward to these next couple of months.”

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he had a couple of brief conversations with Flaherty today as he got settled into the O’s clubhouse. They have a connection of time spent in the National League Central, where Flaherty has played his whole career and where Hyde was on a World Series champion as a Cubs coach.

Hyde was asked about Flaherty now joining a new organization. The Cardinals drafted him in 2014 and it’s the only big league club he’s ever known.

“It’s going to be a change,” Hyde said. “When you are in one organization for a long time and you move, there are different emotions, and I’m sure he’s going through a whirlwind right now.

“He’s going to go through all kind of emotions tomorrow, making a start for us and not being in a Cardinals uniform. Sure it’s going to be a little bit different.”

To get Flaherty on the active roster today, the Orioles optioned reliever Bryan Baker to Triple-A.

Baker has made 111 appearances over the last two years for the Orioles. He was 4-3 with a 3.64 ERA and 1.310 WHIP this year. He had a 1.86 ERA in July, but he also has allowed a high number - 51.5 percent - of his inherited runners to score.

“Well, we had to make a roster move," said Hyde. "Bake is someone that pitched huge innings for us for two years. You know, when you are winning and start getting good players, sometimes you have to make really tough decisions. And that is a tough decision sending him down, because he means a lot to our bullpen, he means a lot to our team.

“I don’t think a couple-week reset is bad for anyone right now, for the volume these guys have thrown the last couple of years. I’m hoping he goes down there for a bit of a reset and hopefully joins us again soon and pitches some big innings for us as we go down the stretch.”

Hyde was asked about reliever Félix Bautista, named American League Reliever of the Month for July, his third monthly honor this year.

“Not a surprise,” said Hyde. “When you don’t give up a run and punch out 60 percent of the guys you are facing or whatever it is, you are in line for awards. He’s just been unbelievable.”

The 28-year-old right-hander compiled a 3-0 record with a 0.00 ERA and converted all eight of his save opportunities across his 11 appearances last month. In 14 innings, he allowed just three hits with four walks while collecting 25 strikeouts.

Bautista’s 29 saves lead the AL, and he ranks third in the majors.