Orioles recall Irvin and option Gillaspie

Cole Irvin is returning to the Orioles.

The left-hander’s stay at Triple-A lasted a month and cost him a spot in the rotation. However, he’s back in the home clubhouse for tonight’s game against the Angels at Camden Yards.

The Orioles announced that they recalled Irvin from Norfolk and optioned reliever Logan Gillaspie, who barely had time to unpack his bags before leaving.

Gillaspie was informed of the decision last night after allowing a run, plus an inherited runner from Grayson Rodriguez to score, in 1 2/3 innings in a 9-5 loss. The Angels collected four hits and a walk.

Irvin was a surprise demotion on April 14 after making only three starts. His strike-throwing reputation took a hit, with Irvin posting a 10.66 ERA and 1.974 WHIP and averaging 5.7 walks per nine innings.

Given five starts with Norfolk, Irvin responded by going 4-1 with a 3.19 ERA and 1.194 WHIP, and walking only four batters, over 31 innings.

Irvin’s last appearance was on Thursday in Jacksonville and he allowed one run in seven innings. He surrendered four runs in his last three starts covering 20 innings.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias mentioned Irvin’s name recently among Triple-A starters who could be relief possibilities for the big league club. He’s in town tonight to provide bullpen length and a third left-hander with Cionel Pérez and Danny Coulombe.

Manager Brandon Hyde used five relievers in the series opener against the Angels, including Austin Voth and Mike Baumann on back-to-back days, after Rodriguez lasted only 3 1/3 innings. Hyde said afterward that Rodriguez would make his next start.

The Orioles acquired Irvin and minor league pitcher Kyle Virbitsky from the Athletics on Jan. 26 for infield prospect Darell Hernaiz.

Dean Kremer, who starts tonight, is 4-1 with a 4.97 ERA and 1.464 WHIP in eight games. He faced the Braves and Rays in his last two starts and allowed one run over 12 innings.

Kremer’s only career start against the Angels was July 9, 2022 in Baltimore. He shut them out on two hits over five innings and struck out seven batters.

It’s his turn tonight to deal with Shohei Ohtani, who reached base five times last night – including a 456-foot three-run homer – and came within a double of the cycle.

The Angels are starting right-hander Chase Silseth, their 11^th round pick in the 2021 draft out of the University of Arizona. He’s made four relief appearances this season and allowed three earned runs (six total) with five walks in 8 1/3 innings.

Silseth made seven starts last season and allowed 21 runs and 33 hits in 28 2/3 innings. He faced the Orioles on July 7 and surrendered four runs and six hits in four innings.

Adley Rutschman hit a solo home run in the second inning.

The Angels’ win last night was their first at Camden Yards since Aug. 24, 2021. They have 13 comeback victories.