Orioles designate Araujo for assignment (Wotherspoon optioned)

The Orioles placed a fresh arm in their bullpen today in Toronto and have decided to end the Rule 5 experiment with Pedro Araujo.

Araujo has been designated for assignment despite needing only 17 days from the start of the season to lose his Rule 5 status. The Orioles selected the contract of right-hander Matt Wotherspoon, who's been assigned No. 71 and will make his major league debut if appearing in a game.

The Orioles can attempt to trade Araujo. Otherwise he must clear waivers and be offered back to the Cubs.

The end comes for Araujo after only one appearance this season. He allowed two runs and two hits and walked a batter in two-thirds of an inning Monday night after replacing David Hess, who had a no-hitter intact.

Araujo walked Justin Smoak and Randal Grichuk followed with a two-run homer.

In 20 appearances last season, Araujo allowed 24 runs and 29 hits in 28 innings and walked 18 batters. He served up nine home runs while trying to make the jump from the Single-A Carolina League, where he posted a 1.80 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 44 games with Myrtle Beach in 2017.

The Orioles placed Araujo on the disabled list and he didn't pitch after June 10.

Wotherspoon, 27, was in minor league camp this spring but he made six appearances in Grapefruit League games and allowed only one run with six strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

Wotherspoon went 2-8 with a 4.60 ERA and 14.15 WHIP last summer in 39 games (12) starts with Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles acquired him from the Yankees on July 2, 2017 for international signing bonus slots.

The Yankees drafted Wotherspoon in the 34th round in 2014 out of the University of Pittsburgh.

A spot on the 25-man roster must be created Thursday with Alex Cobb coming off the injured list to make his debut. Wotherspoon's stay could be brief unless the Orioles choose another method to fit Cobb on the roster.

The Orioles are going for the sweep this afternoon, with Nate Karns taking his second turn as opener and Jimmy Yacabonis expected to follow him.

Pedro Severino will catch Karns in a day game, getting his second start.

Dwight Smith Jr. remains in left field and Trey Mancini in right, with Renato Núñez the designated hitter today.

Richie Martin is back in the lineup at shortstop.

Karns hasn't allowed a run in 13 innings in two career starts against the Jays. He's struck out 13 batters.

Karns tossed seven scoreless innings in his only appearance at Rogers Centre.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Dwight Smith Jr. LF
Jonathan Villar 2B
Trey Mancini RF
Renato Núñez DH
Rio Ruiz 3B
Chris Davis 1B
Pedro Severino C
Richie Martin SS

Nate Karns RHP

For the Blue Jays
Billy McKinney RF
Randal Grichuk CF
Justin Smoak DH
Teoscar Hernández LF
Rowdy Tellez 1B
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. 2B
Freddy Galvis SS
Richard Ureña 3B
Luke Maile C

Matt Shoemaker RHP

Shoemaker has a 2.88 ERA and 0.720 WHIP in four career starts against the Orioles over 25 innings. He's allowed eight runs and 16 hits with two walks and 33 strikeouts.

Davis is 0-for-10 with seven strikeouts against Shoemaker.

The Orioles are starting Cobb, Dylan Bundy and Hess in the three-game series against the Yankees that starts Thursday at Camden Yards and includes an off-day on Friday.

Former Orioles radio broadcaster Joe Angel will throw out the ceremonial first pitch in Thursday's home opener. Angel retired after 19 seasons on the Orioles Radio Network.

Gates open at noon.

Update: Wotherspoon was optioned to Norfolk after the game. Cobb is expected to take his spot.