Orioles recall David Hess

The latest shuffling in the Orioles bullpen has slid David Hess back to the majors.

The Orioles recalled Hess from Triple-A Norfolk this morning. He replaced Josh Lucas, who was optioned after last night's 4-1 win in Toronto.

Manager Brandon Hyde will explain to the media at Rogers Centre how he envisions using Hess, but it's likely to be in long relief and other in-game spots, rather than in the rotation.

Hess was moved to the bullpen and then optioned to Norfolk on June 16. He kept pitching in a relief role with the Tides, stringing together four scoreless outings after allowing five runs and six hits in two innings on June 20 at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

In his last appearance, Hess worked two scoreless innings Wednesday with no hits allowed and three strikeouts. Over his last four games, he surrendered four hits and struck out 14 batters in 11 innings.

His overall body of work with Norfolk included a 3.46 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and .208 average against in 13 innings.

Hess made 15 appearances with the Orioles, including 13 starts, and went 1-9 with a 6.95 ERA and 1.561 WHIP in 66 innings. He surrendered 20 home runs.

Lucas came off the injured list Tuesday and didn't appear in a game, his last outing with the Orioles coming on June 13. He moves into the Tides bullpen until the Orioles need him again.

It's just a matter of time before the he comes through the revolving door.

The All-Star break arrives after Sunday's game in Toronto and the Orioles are off July 15 and 18. They don't have an immediate need for a fifth starter and Hyde said he'll pencil in Asher Wojciechowski.

Meanwhile, a scoring change in the June 12 game against the Blue Jays has impacted Hess. The Orioles announced it this morning in a pure coincidence.

In the top of the fifth inning, catcher Luke Maile reached base on what was originally scored an infield single. It's been changed to an error on shortstop Jonathan Villar, making the three runs off Hess unearned.

The runs off Miguel Castro are now earned, but unearned to the team.