Orioles release pitcher Josh Rogers

The return for former closer Zack Britton is down to two players.

Triple-A Norfolk left-hander Josh Rogers was released yesterday, at least putting on hold his comeback from a second elbow surgery.

Rogers, 26, made four appearances with Norfolk, including two starts, and allowed 15 earned runs (17 total) and 24 hits in 17 1/3 innings. He walked three batters and struck out 14.

Reports showed that his velocity was good. The arm is healthy again. He just didn't have the overall results to match.

The Orioles acquired Rogers and relievers Dillon Tate and Cody Carroll from the Yankees on July 24, 2018 as they began tearing down the team under former executive Dan Duquette.

Tate has a 4.99 ERA and 1.108 WHIP in 41 games over parts of three seasons, making a few stops in the injured list, and the Orioles believe he can become established as a high-leverage reliever. Carroll made three appearances last summer, allowing 12 runs in two innings, and owns a career 13.74 ERA and 2.526 WHIP in 18 games. He didn't pitch in 2019 after undergoing disc surgery on his back.

All three pitchers made their major league debuts with the Orioles following the trade. Rogers received three starts in 2018 and had five relief appearances the following summer before elbow pain led to a procedure called an ulnar collateral ligament "revision," a follow-up of sorts to his Tommy John surgery in high school.

Rogers threw in the fall instructional camp and was invited to spring training. He's posted an 8.65 ERA in eight major league games.

The Tides are hurting for bats with first Tyler Nevin in the majors, outfielder Yusniel Diaz and infielders Jahmai Jones and Rylan Bannon on the seven-day injured list and infielder Richie Martin on the Orioles' 60-day injured list.

Infielder/outfielder Jean Carlos Encarnación, 23, is joining his fourth affiliate this year, reporting to Norfolk after playing four games with low Single-A Delmarva, two with high Single-A Aberdeen and two with Double-A Bowie. He's gone a combined 4-for-24 with a home run, no walks and 10 strikeouts.

Delmarva's infield was so stacked with prospects that Encarnación, mainly a third baseman, was moved to the outfield.

The Orioles acquired Encarnación, pitchers Bruce Zimmermann and Evan Phillips and catcher Brett Cumberland from the Braves on July 31, 2018 for starter Kevin Gausman and reliever Darren O'Day. Zimmermann is in the Orioles rotation and the others are on the Tides roster.

Cumberland is vying for starts with Chance Sisco, who was optioned yesterday. Obviously, the Orioles want Sisco getting the bulk of the work, but they're also trying to develop Cumberland.

Meanwhile, the Orioles enter tonight with a 14-game losing streak that matches the stretch in August 1954 as the second-longest in club history. The 0-21 start in 1988 is in sight.

The Orioles have lost 16 in a row to the Twins, the third-longest streak against any opponent in club history.

They ended the month 5-23, their lowest win total in May.

The Twins were 0-8 in extra innings this season before winning their last two. The Orioles are 2-4.