Orioles designate DJ Stewart for assignment

The Orioles selected the contract of right-hander Chris Ellis from Triple-A Norfolk, and he’s starting tonight against the Athletics in Oakland.

Ellis was on the taxi squad and the logical choice. Alexander Wells also is on the taxi squad but can’t pitch in the series unless he’s replacing an injured player. The Orioles optioned him Sunday morning.

That was the expected. What also happened today comes as more of a surprise.

A full 40-man roster required a corresponding move for Ellis, and the Orioles have designated former first-round draft pick DJ Stewart for assignment.

Stewart, the 25^th-overall selection in 2015 out of Florida State University, was optioned to Norfolk after making three pinch-hitting appearances in the opening series at Tropicana Field and going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. In two games with the Tides, he was 1-for-5 with a strikeout and stolen base.

The Orioles can attempt to trade Stewart or outright him if he clears waivers.

Stewart has batted .213/.327/.400 in five major league seasons and 622 plate appearances, with 21 doubles, 26 home runs and 73 RBIs. He drew 82 walks and struck out 167 times.

A bruised hand limited Stewart’s at-bats in spring training. He was shut down in September last season and underwent surgery to correct a right knee osteochondral defect.

Stewart also had surgery in October 2019 to repair a microfracture of his right ankle – two months after sustaining a concussion on a fly ball that struck him on the head. It was his first game back after spraining his ankle.

The bursts of power always intrigued and raised expectations that couldn’t be met, and he produced some of the best at-bats on the team, able to work a count and get on base in a lineup often filled with free-swingers. He appeared in 100 games last season and batted .204/.324/.374 with 10 doubles, 12 home runs, 33 RBIs, 44 walks and 89 strikeouts in 318 plate appearances.

A career highlight came in 2020 when Stewart hit five home runs in four games and seven in nine.

The outfield is set with Austin Hays and Anthony Santander in the corners, and Trey Mancini available again. Kyle Stowers, the No. 8 prospect in the system, per MLBPipeline.com, is expected to make his major league debut this summer.

The last two first-round draft picks have been outfielders – Heston Kjerstad in 2020 and Colton Cowser in 2021.

Reliever Marcos Diplán was optioned to Norfolk after allowing an unearned run and two hits last night in one-third of an inning. Two inherited runners scored.

Ellis is making his first start in the majors since Sept. 25 against the Rangers, when he tossed three scoreless innings. He chose free agency after the Orioles outrighted him, signed a minor league deal on March 16 and threw four scoreless and hitless innings Wednesday night with Norfolk.

Ellis, who’s wearing No. 39, is working on an extra day of rest. He’s never faced the Athletics.

Ramón Urías, who's at second base tonight, snapped an 0-for-16 streak last night with a single in the seventh inning, but he also had a costly throwing error in the sixth that allowed a run to score and break a 1-1 tie. The Orioles lost 5-1.

Santander is in left field and Hays is in right. Jorge Mateo is the shortstop again.

Orioles starters have allowed one earned run or fewer in four straight games.

The pitching staff’s 2.86 ERA ranks fifth in the majors and second in the American League behind the Yankees (2.53).

The Orioles have lost eight of their last nine games in Oakland and are 5-15 overall against the Athletics since 2018.

Oakland left-hander Cole Irvin has made two starts this month and allowed seven runs and 12 hits in 11 2/3 innings. He’s surrendered four home runs, which was tied yesterday for the major league lead.

Left-handers are batting .309/.356/.466 lifetime against Irvin. Right-handers slash .270/.319/.441.

Irvin has a 4.21 ERA and 1.299 WHIP in 22 home games and a 5.23 ERA and 1.408 WHIP in 31 road games.

In his only start against the Orioles, Irvin held them to one run and scattered eight hits in 5 1/3 innings and struck out six batters on April 23, 2021 at Camden Yards. Cedric Mullins led off the bottom of the first with a double and he singled in the fifth.

The current 10-game road trip is tied for the longest of the season. They go to Chicago (four games), Seattle and Minnesota from June 23-July 3.

For the Orioles

Cedric Mullins CF
Anthony Santander LF
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Trey Mancini DH
Austin Hays RF
Ramón Urías 2B
Robinson Chirinos C
Kelvin Gutiérrez 3B
Jorge Mateo SS 

Chris Ellis RHP     

Outfielder Hudson Haskin returned to Double-A Bowie’s lineup after being hit on the hand six nights ago.

Right-hander Denyi Reyes has been transferred from low Single-A Delmarva to Triple-A Norfolk. Infielder Greg Cullen is starting an injury rehab assignment with the Shorebirds.

For the Athletics

Tony Kemp DH
Sheldon Neuse 3B
Sean Murphy C
Billy McKinney RF
Christian Bethancourt 1B
Elvis Andrus SS
Seth Brown LF
Cristian Pache CF
Nick Allen 2B 

Cole Irvin LHP

If you’re looking for a good baseball book recommendation, check out Michael Ortman’s “Opening Day: 50-for-50”

Ortman shares his experiences covering 50 straight opening day games, a streak that took him from D.C. to Baltimore to Chicago and eventually back to D.C. – starting with the Senators and finishing with the Nationals. And with plenty of Orioles games in between.

The run that began in 1970 and ended in 2019 allowed Ortman to encounter five U.S. presidents and more than 50 future Hall of Fame players, coaches and broadcasters.

The book is available at Barnes and Noble and through the book’s website: www.OpeningDay5050.com.