Paul Fry "pretty speechless" after promotion

It was past midnight when Triple-A Norfolk manager Ron Johnson informed Paul Fry that the Orioles were calling up the young left-hander. The rest seemed like a blur.

"Pretty speechless," Fry said today while standing in front of a photo of Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson that hangs outside the clubhouse entrance.

Fry, 24, said he wasn't expecting the Orioles to promote him.

"Not really," he said. "I had two outings at Norfolk after getting there. Hadn't played a home game yet. Pretty excited."

It's already been a crazy year for Fry. The Mariners designated him for assignment on April 11, a huge disappointment for the former 17th-round pick. The Orioles traded for him three days later, giving up another international signing bonus slot.

His reaction to the trade?

"Relieved." he said. "After getting DFAd, those next couple days are pretty tough. Once I found out I was traded, I was like, this is a big opportunity and make the most of it.

"It was a tough day getting DFAd, but I know everything happens for a reason. Being here, I'm really happy about it."

Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells led Fry into manager Buck Showalter's office this afternoon for a handshake and a brief conversation. Fry found his locker and began the process of getting comfortable in his new environment, however long he's on the roster.

"It's kind of tough getting to know all that," he said. "It's going to be hard to remember all the names, but it's a nice, fresh start."

Pitchers Dylan Bundy and Donnie Hart played with Fry two years ago in the Arizona Fall League, where he also got to know bullpen coach Alan Mills. His ties to the Mariners organization connected him to outfielder Seth Smith and pitchers Wade Miley and Vidal Nuño.

"It was great to see all those guys again and know faces in the organization," he said.

The Orioles recalled Fry and optioned reliever Stefan Crichton because they needed another left-handed long reliever. Nuño and Jayson Aquino aren't available, leaving right-hander Alec Asher as the only member of the bullpen who can provide length if a starter is knocked out early.

Showalter said Fry has "good stuff," which he exhibited while tossing 2 2/3 scoreless and hitless innings in two appearances with Norfolk. He has a career 2.85 ERA in 153 minor league games.

"You guys, I'm sure, have looked at his track record," Showalter said. "Pretty successful pitcher. Left-handed, options and has a good track record at that level. We'll see if it plays up here.

"Roger (McDowell) and I and Dan (Duquette) were talking last night that every opportunity we can to get our arms around and see some of these guys and trying to figure out who we can count on as we move forward is important, and I think Crichton has a chance to be one of those guys. It's part of the process. He came up here and got his feet wet.

"We tell these guys that the roster doesn't mean anything. If we're told that you're the best option here, we'll figure out a way to get you here. Stefan was at the time and will be again at some point. But it's a good step for him. He'll go down and if he's good enough he'll get going and make his way back."

Fry is a fastball/slider pitcher.

"Watched a lot of tape on him when we were thinking about acquiring him and since then," Showalter said. "Good, strong-looking kid. He's got a good arm. Good slider. His two outings in Norfolk were really good."