Orioles claim Shawn Armstrong off waivers (Ortiz optioned)

A day filled with roster moves and transactions for the Orioles has room for at least one more.

The Orioles announced this afternoon that they claimed right-hander Shawn Armstrong off waivers from the Mariners, the latest attempt to settle a pitching staff that's giving up home runs in record proportions.

Armstrong, 28, is out of minor league options and will be placed on the Orioles' 25-man roster after he reports to the club, which should happen this week during the series in Chicago that starts Monday.

With catcher Jesús Sucre designated for assignment this morning, the Orioles have an opening on their 40-man roster that Armstrong is able to fill.

The Mariners designated Armstrong for assignment on Friday while promoting top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield. They optioned Sheffield to make room for former Orioles pitcher Mike Wright.

Armstrong made four relief appearances this season and allowed six runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings, with three walks and three strikeouts. He posted a 1.23 ERA and 0.818 WHIP last summer in 14 appearances over 14 2/3 innings, allowing only one home run in the process.

An 18th-round pick out of East Carolina University in 2011, Armstrong has gone 1-2 with a 3.65 ERA and 1.249 WHIP in 57 games over parts of five major league seasons with the Indians and Mariners. The Mariners acquired him in December 2017 for international signing bonus slot funds.

Armstrong was outstanding at Triple-A Tacoma last summer, registering a 1.77 ERA in 49 games with 11 earned runs and 38 hits in 56 innings. He struck out 82 batters and surrendered only three home runs.

In nine minor league seasons, Armstrong has posted a 2.26 ERA and 1.215 WHIP in 350 2/3 innings and averaged 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings. He's allowed 13 home runs.

The Orioles will need to make a corresponding roster move to fit Armstrong in their bullpen. They optioned Jimmy Yacabonis this morning, placed starter Alex Cobb on the injured list with a lumbar strain and recalled pitchers Branden Kline and Luis Ortiz from Triple-A Norfolk.

Catcher Austin Wynns also was recalled and is behind the plate today in Minnesota, where Dylan Bundy has served up two solo home runs in three innings and is behind 4-0.

The Orioles' staff has allowed 71 home runs in 29 games.

John Means and Andrew Cashner are starting in the first two games against the White Sox and manager Brandon Hyde told the media in Minnesota that David Hess will replace Cobb on Wednesday.

The White Sox are starting Manny Banuelos and Iván Nova, with Wednesday's spot TBD.

Update: The Orioles optioned Ortiz after a 4-1 loss.