Orioles acquire pitcher Jayson Aquino

The Orioles made a minor league trade this morning, acquiring left-hander Jayson Aquino from the Cardinals in exchange for cash considerations. Aquino has been optioned to Double-A Bowie.

Aquino, 23, pitched in three organizations last summer - none of them being the Cardinals.

Aquino went 5-11 with a 3.28 ERA in a career-high 24 starts between Single-A Lynchburg (Indians), Dunedin (Blue Jays) and Bradenton (Pirates). His ERA ranked 16th among high-level Single-A pitchers, and his 137 1/3 innings were tied for 20th.

The first five seasons of Aquino's professional career were spent in the Rockies organization. He reached Double-A Tulsa in 2014, making two starts.

The Rockies traded Aquino to the Blue Jays in January 2015, and he was twice involved in deals last summer for cash considerations. The Cardinals claimed him off waivers on Dec. 9 after the Indians designated him for assignment.

In 99 career minor league games, Aquino has gone 32-37 with a 2.94 ERA and 1.110 WHIP over 591 innings. Ninety-eight of his 99 appearances have come as a starter.

The Baysox already have a six-man rotation, not including Kevin Gausman, who pitches on Saturday. Joe Gunkel is slated to start tonight's opener, though rain could force a postponement. Other Bowie starters include David Hess, Parker Bridwell, Ariel Miranda, Chris Lee and Jason Garcia.

Triple-A Norfolk has an opening in its rotation and Gunkel is expected to move up after going 8-4 with a 2.59 ERA and 0.958 WHIP in 17 starts with Bowie last season.

The Orioles now have 38 players on their 40-man roster. They shed three players after releasing Miguel Gonzalez and outrighting Chaz Roe and Zach Phillips.