Orioles re-sign Gilmartin to minor league deal

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

November 02, 2018, 3:17pm

Comments

Sean Gilmartin's exit from the Orioles organization lasted one day.

The Orioles have re-signed the left-hander to a minor league contract after including him yesterday among four players outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.

Gilmartin and infielder Jace Peterson declined the assignment and elected free agency. Pitcher Gabriel Ynoa and infielder Corban Joseph agreed to terms on minor league deals for 2019.

All four players cleared outright waivers and came off the 40-man roster, with the spots filled today after outfielders Mark Trumbo and Austin Hays and pitchers Richard Bleier and Pedro Araujo were reinstated from the 60-day disabled list.

The Orioles were hoping to keep Gilmartin and Peterson in the organization and accomplished half of their goal tonight.

Gilmartin posted a 3.00 ERA in 12 relief appearances this summer and allowed only two runs in his last four games, totaling 13 2/3 innings. The Orioles signed him on July 13.

In a stretch of three appearances Sept. 12-24, Gilmartin tossed three scoreless innings, allowed one run and two hits in 4 2/3 innings and threw four scoreless innings with only one hit surrendered. He took advantage of the opportunities presented down the stretch as young starters made early exits.

Bleier's lat surgery also opened the door for Gilmartin, who likely will vie for a bullpen job as a spring training invite.

Today's signing is the latest activity from a club that still hasn't hired a president or a replacement for executive vice president Dan Duquette.

Also, the Orioles failed to extend qualifying offers today to free agent outfielders Adam Jones and Colby Rasmus, which came as absolutely no surprise.