Orioles DFA Watkins and select Bemboom's contract (plus other notes)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Orioles made a series of roster moves before playing their first game tonight against the Rays at Tropicana Field.

The pitching staff and catchers are impacted again.

Spenser Watkins was designated for assignment this morning to create room for catcher Anthony Bemboom on the 40-man roster. The Orioles selected Bemboom’s contract from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned backup José Godoy. 

Right-hander Logan Gillaspie was recalled from Norfolk to work in a middle relief role.

Watkins joined the Orioles twice this season but didn’t pitch for them. He missed a month with a laceration on his right ring finger, an injury sustained with Norfolk.

Twenty of Watkins’ 23 appearances with the Orioles last season came as a starter. He finished with a 4.70 ERA and 1.415 WHIP in 105 1/3 innings.

Godoy also failed to appear in a game with the Orioles after his contract was selected to replace James McCann, who’s on the 10-day injured list with a sprained ankle. Godoy was the sixth catcher to appear on the active roster this season.

Bemboom and Gillaspie return after making the Opening Day roster.

McCann began the season on the IL with an oblique strain, and Bemboom appeared in two games before the Orioles designated him for assignment. He just completed a minor league injury rehab assignment and was batting .278/.366/.389 in 21 games with the Tides.

Gillaspie has a 6.75 ERA and 2.400 WHIP in nine games with the Orioles, with five earned runs (six total) and 12 hits in 6 2/3 innings. He was optioned April 19, recalled May 15 and optioned a day later.

In 16 appearances with Norfolk, Gillaspie has allowed seven runs and 18 hits with seven walks and 19 strikeouts in 18 innings.

* Center fielder Cedric Mullins and first baseman Ryan Mountcastle are beginning injury rehab assignments.

Mullins (groin) and Mountcastle (vertigo) are expected to be in Norfolk’s lineup tonight in Nashville.

Mountcastle made the trip to Chicago and worked out for three days. Mullins has been on a hitting and running progression in Sarasota.

* Adley Rutschman continues to lead American League catchers in All-Star voting in the closest race on the ballot.

Rutschman has received 895,217 votes. Kansas City’s Salvador Pérez passed the Rangers’ Jonah Heim for second with 645,650.

Mountcastle is eighth among first basemen, Adam Frazier is eighth among second basemen, Jorge Mateo is eighth among shortstops, Ramón Urías is 10^th among third basemen and Gunnar Henderson makes his first appearance by moving to eighth among designated hitters. Austin Hays moves up to 15^th among outfielders, and Mullins is 19^th.

Phase 1 of voting concludes at noon Thursday.

* Pitcher Noah Denoyer, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 27 prospect in the organization, cleared outright waivers and was assigned to Norfolk.

Denoyer was designated for assignment last Tuesday to make room for catcher Mark Kolozsvary, who later was designated, cleared waivers and elected free agency.