Minor league notes on Tim Berry, Brian Gonzalez, Branden Kline and more

Double-A Bowie left-hander Tim Berry has been placed on the disabled list retroactive to Aug. 18 with shoulder tendinitis. But the Orioles are convinced this is very minor and are hopeful Berry can start again for the Baysox this season. Berry was examined by Orioles orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs. The Orioles' No. 6 prospect according to Baseball America, the 23-year-old Berry was added to the 40-man roster last November. Earlier this year, he actually spent time with the Orioles. When they had a bullpen need, they called on Berry on June 6 and he was optioned back to the minors the next day. He is 6-7 with a 3.51 ERA for the Baysox over 23 starts and 133 1/3 innings. In five starts since the All-Star break, Berry is 2-2 with a 2.15 ERA. "We are just being cautious," Orioles director of player development Brian Graham said. "We really anticipate him missing one start. We'll see what day he throws his bullpen and from there, make a decision (on his next start). "This is very minor, end of the season and just making a good decision based on him logging a lot of innings and doing well this year. We do want him back on the mound (this year). He was thoroughly evaluated by our doctors and there is no injury. Just tendinitis." Berry's DL move led to the Orioles promoting right-hander Branden Kline from Single-A Frederick to start for Bowie. The O's No. 20 prospect, Kline will make his Double-A debut for the Baysox tonight. The 22-year-old Kline went 8-6 with a 3.84 ERA in 23 starts for the Keys. He ranks ninth in the Carolina League in ERA and fourth among starters, averaging just 2.27 walks per nine innings. Kline becomes the eighth member of the Keys to advance to Double-A in 2014, joining Michael Burgess, Glynn Davis, Mychal Givens, Mike Yastrzemski, Sammie Starr, Zane Chavez and Ashur Tolliver. The moves today will also lead to 22-year-old left-hander Steven Brault moving from Single-A Delmarva to Frederick, where he is expected to start tomorrow night. The O's No. 14 prospect, Brault went 9-8 with an ERA of 3.05 in 22 starts for the Shorebirds. In 130 innings, he walked 28 and fanned 115. In three August starts, Brault is 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA. Meanwhile, Graham confirmed today that left-hander Brian Gonzalez, the Orioles' third-round pick this year, will finish the season with the Gulf Coast League team. In past years, there have been times when the O's moved a high draft pick from the GCL to short-season Single-A Aberdeen late in the season. That happened last season with catcher Chance Sisco, for instance. But Gonzalez has had a very solid first year and the O's are happy for him to end it in the GCL. Gonzalez has not allowed an earned run over 24 2/3 innings. He has given up just 11 hits and one unearned run with eight walks, 25 strikeouts and a .134 batting average against. "Brian Gonzalez has done great this year," Graham said. "He's thrown strikes. He's shown the ability to pitch inside and done a lot of good things for a first-year player. As a high school guy, we want him to finish strong and come to instructional league and that will be the next step in his development." Right-hander Bobby Bundy, on the comeback trail from Tommy John surgery, is moving to Aberdeen to pitch two or three more outings before the season ends. Bundy appeared in three GCL games, giving up four runs over 2 2/3 innings. Also moving today from the GCL to Aberdeen are pitchers Zach Albin, Mike Burke and Zeke McGranahan, and catcher Jonah Heim.