O's promote Berken, Pomeranz; option Paulino, Hunter

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled right-hander Jason Berken, selected the contract of right-hander Stu Pomeranz from Triple-A Norfolk, and optioned catcher Ronny Paulino and right-hander Tommy Hunter to the Tides. left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Pomeranz on the 40-man roster. Berken, 28, is being recalled for the second time this season (also April 25-27). He has pitched to a 1.23 ERA (22.0IP, 3ER) in five starts with the Tides and has not received a decision. Berken did not appear in a game for the Orioles during his first stint with the team. Pomeranz, 27, will make his Major League debut. He has appeared in eight games with Double-A Bowie (five) and Triple-A Norfolk (three) this season, combining to allow two unearned runs, record two saves and strike out 32 while walking two in 19.0 innings. Pomeranz pitched to a 1.08 ERA (8.1IP, ER) in eight spring training games this year. He was signed by the Orioles as a minor league free agent on February 2 and was originally selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2nd round of the 2003 First Year Player Draft out of Houston HS in Germantown, TN. Pomeranz will wear uniform #55. Paulino, 31, has batted .300/.300/.333 with three RBI in nine games (30 at-bats) for the Orioles. He had his contract selected from Norfolk on April 4. Hunter, 25, is 2-1 with a 5.00 ERA (36.0IP, 20ER) in six starts this season. He had his shortest outing of the season yesterday at Boston, allowing five earned runs in 4.1 innings. Wada, 31, was placed on the disabled list on April 4.