Orioles acquire Lobstein from Pirates

The Orioles may have found their left-handed specialist in time to include him on the postseason roster if they qualify.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette acquired reliever Kyle Lobstein from the Pirates for minor league lefty Zach Phillips. No word yet on how the Orioles envision using him, but the splits suggest that he'd be a good fit in the bullpen.

To make room for Lobstein on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have designated Triple-A Norfolk southpaw Ashur Tolliver for assignment.

Lobstein, 27, fits the mold of the reliever Duquette has been seeking. He's gone 2-0 with a 3.96 ERA in 14 games this season, allowing 11 earned runs in 25 innings. Most important, left-handed batters are 2-for-24 against him.

Rookie Donnie Hart has done an admirable job of filling the role after twice being called up from Double-A Bowie. Left-handers are 5-for-23 against him.

Lobstein was 1-3 with a 4.11 ERA (23 ER/50.1 IP) and 42 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings over 19 games (six starts) with Triple-A Indianapolis. A second-round pick of the Rays in 2008, Lobstein is 6-10 with a 5.06 ERA in 34 career major league games, including 20 with the Tigers. He's 53-54 with a 3.85 ERA in 171 minor league games, including 156 starts.

The Pirates designated Lobstein for assignment yesterday to clear a 40-man spot for pitcher Kelvin Marte.

Right-handed batters posted a .324/.400/.507 slash line against Lobstein in 81 plate appearances. Over his major league career, left-handers are batting .209/.295/.284 and right-handers are batting .305/.363/.484.

Lobstein never has faced the Orioles in a regular season game, but they've seen him in spring training.

Tolliver allowed three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings with the Orioles. Phillips, signed late in spring training, was 9-3 with a 4.45 ERA in 49 games with Norfolk.

Update: Lobstein is not at the ballpark and will not be placed on the roster immediately.