Orioles trade Stefan Crichton to Diamondbacks

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

April 02, 2018, 11:00am

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After designating four pitchers for assignment in order to create room on the 40-man roster prior to opening day, the Orioles have found closure with one of them by orchestrating a trade.

Right-hander Stefan Crichton has been dealt to the Diamondbacks for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Crichton was optioned to Triple-A Reno.

Crichton, 26, rode the shuttle hard between the majors and Triple-A Norfolk last summer, having six stints with the Orioles, and posted an 8.03 ERA and 2.432 WHIP in eight games. He allowed 11 runs and 26 hits in 12 1/3 innings.

The Orioles didn't include Crichton on their expanded September roster, his last appearance coming on June 25 in St. Petersburg, Fla. He was 7-2 with a 3.02 ERA and 1.217 WHIP in 29 relief appearances at Norfolk and he averaged 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

Crichton appeared in three exhibition games this spring and allowed one run and three hits with three strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings. The Orioles optioned him on March 6 and he was considered to be on the 40-man bubble.

The Orioles selected Crichton in the 23rd round of the 2013 amateur draft out of Texas Christian University. He's 18-19 with a 3.46 ERA and 1.228 WHIP in 141 minor league games.

Pitchers Jesus Liranzo, Alec Asher and Michael Kelly also were designated for assignment before opening day to create room for Colby Rasmus, Craig Gentry, Pedro Ãlvarez and Danny Valencia. Liranzo, who also has minor league options, is considered the most likely to be signed off waivers.