Orioles acquire left-hander Luis Ysla from Dodgers

It's been a busy transactional day for the Orioles before they open a three-game series in Houston.

Already making two earlier moves involving outfielder Michael Saunders and pitcher Stefan Crichton, the Orioles announced early this evening that they acquired left-hander Luis Ysla from the Dodgers for pitcher Jesus Liranzo and assigned him to Double-A Bowie.

Ysla, 25, went a combined 1-5 with a 5.28 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in 36 relief appearances at Double-A Portland and Tulsa. He walked 39 batters and struck out 52 in 58 innings, and he allowed only three home runs.

The Red Sox traded Ysla to the Dodgers on July 29 for cash considerations after designating him for assignment three days earlier. The Dodgers designated him on Sept. 1 and outrighted him after he cleared waivers.

Ysla (pronounced ees-lah) is 16-23 with a 3.93 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 147 games, including 44 starts. He's walked 167 batters and struck out 382 in 371 1/3 innings.

Left-handers hit 216 against Ysla last season, but he walked 14 batters in 13 2/3 innings. Right-handers hit .286.

"Ysla is a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher that we have good reports on from the 2017 Eastern League," executive vice president Dan Duquette wrote in a text message.

"He has good pitches, which can play well in the major leagues with more consistency. We hope he can put it together this season to help the 2018 club."

Liranzo was among four pitchers designated for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster prior to opening day. He generated plenty of interest and the Orioles were able to find a trade partner rather than lose him to a waiver claim.

Liranzo, 23, was 3-4 with a 4.85 ERA and 1.49 WHIP this summer in 65 innings at Double-A Bowie. The Orioles optioned him off their camp roster on March 7, his 23rd birthday, after he was charged with five runs in two innings.

The Orioles slow-played Liranzo in camp after he came down with a sore shoulder in the Arizona Fall League.

The Dodgers optioned Liranzo to Tulsa after placing him on their 40-man roster.

Earlier today, the Orioles announced that they signed Saunders to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk and traded Crichton to the Diamondbacks for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Two more pitchers who were designated remain in limbo - right-handers Alec Asher and Michael Kelly.