Orioles option Baumann to reduce pitching staff

Reliever Mike Baumann has been optioned for a third time.

The Orioles sent Baumann to Triple-A Norfolk after yesterday’s game, meeting today’s noon deadline for teams to trim pitching staffs to 13.

Major League Baseball is limiting the number of pitchers, leaving 13 position players on the roster until Sept. 1. The Orioles must make a corresponding move before Tuesday night’s game against the Nationals at Camden Yards.

Per the new collective bargaining agreement, teams can’t option a player more than five times after May 2 or he’s exposed to waivers. Baumann has been optioned twice during this period.

Baumann tossed a scoreless inning yesterday against the Rays, allowing two hits and striking out a batter. He broke camp with the Orioles but hasn’t avoided the shuttle, appearing in seven games and allowing six earned runs (seven total) with 13 hits, six walks and nine strikeouts in 12 innings.

A typical Monday also means more roster moves in the minors.

Pitcher Chris Vallimont has been promoted from Double-A Bowie to Norfolk after making three starts and allowing only one run with 18 strikeouts in 13 innings.

The Orioles claimed Vallimont, 25, off waivers from the Twins on May 25.

Pitcher Justin Armbruester, 23, has moved up from High-A Aberdeen to Bowie after making 12 starts and registering a 4.02 ERA and 1.118 WHIP with 63 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings.

Armbruester was selected in the 12^th round of the 2021 draft out of the University of New Mexico.

The Orioles signed right-handers Anthony Bello, Ronal Herrera, Cesar Espinal and Eddy Alberto, per the minor league transactions page.