Orioles add relievers Eshelman and Kriske to active roster

BOSTON - The Orioles shook up their bullpen again this morning by selecting the contract of Thomas Eshelman from Triple-A Norfolk and recalling Brooks Kriske from the Tides.

In corresponding moves, the club has optioned Spenser Watkins to Norfolk and designated Dusten Knight for assignment. Knight had to be moved in order to create space for Eshelman on the 40-man roster.

Kriske, claimed off waivers from the Yankees, joined the Orioles over the weekend and went through the intake process after his air travel. He tossed a scoreless and hitless inning with two strikeouts Friday night for the Tides.

Eshelman was on the taxi squad, so adding him became a simple maneuver. He's appeared in six games with the Orioles this summer, including five starts, and allowed 19 runs and 29 hits in 21 1/3 innings.

Watkins tossed two scoreless innings Friday night but has an 8.42 ERA and 1.753 WHIP in 14 games. Knight allowed three runs in one-third of an inning Friday and had a scoreless inning yesterday.

The Orioles wrap up their series against the Red Sox this afternoon with Cedric Mullins needing one home run to join the 30/30 club.

Rookie Alexander Wells is making his sixth start and ninth appearance. He has a 7.76 ERA and 1.913 WHIP in 26 2/3 innings, with 12 walks and seven home runs allowed.

Wells is being introduced to the Red Sox today.

The Orioles still need one more win to guarantee that they won't match the club record of 115 losses set in 2018. They've lost seven of their last eight and are 1-11 against the Red Sox since winning the first three games of the season in Boston.

Trey Mancini worked out in the outfield this morning to gauge whether he could play. He's been receiving treatment for soreness in his oblique/abdomen.

Left-hander Bruce Zimmermann started for Double-A Bowie last night on his injury rehab assignment and allowed three runs and five hits in 2 1/3 innings. He struck out three batters.

Dean Kremer was given two innings last night with Norfolk and allowed one run and three hits with two strikeouts.

The Red Sox are sending Nathan Eovaldi to the mound in the latest challenge for the Orioles' offense. He's 10-8 with a 3.52 ERA and 1.156 WHIP in 29 starts and averaging 1.7 walks, 9.6 strikeouts and 0.7 home runs per nine innings.

Eovaldi's first start came against the Orioles on opening day, when he allowed one run and four hits in 5 1/3 innings.

In 13 career starts against the Orioles, Eovaldi is 6-2 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.455 WHIP in 66 innings.

Red Sox pitchers have posted a 2.01 ERA in their last nine games and the bullpen has allowed two earned runs in 35 2/3 innings for a 0.50 ERA in the last eight.

For the Red Sox
Enrique Hernández CF
Hunter Renfroe RF
Rafael Devers 3B
Xander Bogaerts SS
J.D. Martinez DH
Bobby Dalbec 1B
Kevin Plawecki C
Alex Verdugo LF
José Iglesias 2B

Nathan Eovaldi RHP