Quintin Berry on joining the Orioles and Ryan Webb on returning to the team
The Orioles' expanding roster added four players today. Pitcher Ryan Webb was recalled from Triple-A and outfielder Quintin Berry had his contract purchased from Triple-A.
Steve Clevenger and T.J. McFarland were activated after a very short stay with short-season, Single-A Aberdeen. To make room for Berry on the 40-man roster, Manny Machado was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.
Webb went 3-2 with a 3.80 ERA earlier in 42 Orioles games before being sent to the minors in early August.
He had some minor shoulder soreness late in the year, but he said "minor" is the key word here.
"Nothing serious at all," Webb said. "I'm not sure what that report was all about but I've been pitching well, shoulder feels great. I threw a side (session) yesterday in Aberdeen and I feel good. Ready to go."
Webb was key pitcher out of the Orioles bullpen, working to an ERA of 1.65 in May and June. But then he had an ERA of 11.37 in July and he was sent out. No doubt he is thrilled to be back.
"Absolutely," he said. "It's been tough watching. You want to be here and be a part of it but at the same time really excited at how well they've been playing. So I'm excited to come back and try to be a part of it."
Signed by the Orioles to a two-year, $4.5 million dollar contract in December, Webb admits he was surprised when the O's sent him to the minors.
"I didn't think that was going happen," Webb said. "Looking at it, you see what the bullpen has been able to do in the second half. There are just so many good guys here. It's a good problem for them to have. So, you can sit back and understand it. You go down there and try to keep yourself in shape to come back and contribute for the rest of the year. So that is exactly what I did.
"I was hoping to come back sooner but there wasn't a serious need. Nothing really happened to shake things up in the bullpen too much. That is a good thing because everyone was doing well. So knowing September was coming I'm happy to be back and see what I can do for the next month," Webb said.
As Webb rejoins the team today, Berry is added to the O's roster for the first time. The 29-year-old lefty batter played in 112 games for Norfolk, batting .285 with three homers, 35 RBIs and a .382 OBP that was fourth best this year in the International League.
While some players went back and forth between Triple-A and the O's roster this year, Berry stayed and played all season with the Tides.
"Any time you get called up is a great feeling, so I'm excited about it," Berry said. "You have to sit and wait and see what happens. Keep playing and stay healthy and get this opportunity. All I could control was to perform every day. This team up here has been playing great and everyone was doing their job."
What was the key to Berry's solid Triple-A season?
"Just having fun with it," he said. "We had a great group of guys down there and great management. Made it easy to come to the ballpark and try to perform. Just staying prepared and staying within myself."
One element Berry can add and one that got him on the Red Sox playoff roster last fall, is speed. He stole 25 of 31 bases this season and he is 29-for-29 in his major league career, counting 5-for-5 steals in the postseason.
He's a big believer in the stolen base.
"I think it's really big. To gain a base without losing an out, I think that is huge. Especially late in the game. Gives you three chances to score that run from second or sac fly or anything from third. Anytime you can gain an advantage, it's huge."
In the O's clubhouse, Berry is reunited with Adam Jones, a close friend from his days growing up in San Diego. They played high school ball together. Now they are O's teammates.
"This is something I've been thinking about all season. Before every game, getting ready, all I could picture was the opportunity to play with him and for this to finally come true. It's amazing, a great feeling."
Now Berry hopes there will a time this month when they are in the O's outfield together.
"Oh man, it would be awesome," he said. "We did that a little bit in spring training. It was cool to look over my shoulder and see him out there smiling at me and joking around. Although joking around on the field isn't the best thing. No, it's awesome, to have that feeling like we did back in high school."
Webb was key pitcher out of the Orioles bullpen, working to an ERA of 1.65 in May and June. But then he had an ERA of 11.37 in July and he was sent out. No doubt he is thrilled to be back.
"Absolutely," he said. "It's been tough watching. You want to be here and be a part of it but at the same time really excited at how well they've been playing. So I'm excited to come back and try to be a part of it."
Signed by the Orioles to a two-year, $4.5 million dollar contract in December, Webb admits he was surprised when the O's sent him to the minors.
"I didn't think that was going happen," Webb said. "Looking at it, you see what the bullpen has been able to do in the second half. There are just so many good guys here. It's a good problem for them to have. So, you can sit back and understand it. You go down there and try to keep yourself in shape to come back and contribute for the rest of the year. So that is exactly what I did.
"I was hoping to come back sooner but there wasn't a serious need. Nothing really happened to shake things up in the bullpen too much. That is a good thing because everyone was doing well. So knowing September was coming I'm happy to be back and see what I can do for the next month," Webb said.
As Webb rejoins the team today, Berry is added to the O's roster for the first time. The 29-year-old lefty batter played in 112 games for Norfolk, batting .285 with three homers, 35 RBIs and a .382 OBP that was fourth best this year in the International League.
While some players went back and forth between Triple-A and the O's roster this year, Berry stayed and played all season with the Tides.
"Any time you get called up is a great feeling, so I'm excited about it," Berry said. "You have to sit and wait and see what happens. Keep playing and stay healthy and get this opportunity. All I could control was to perform every day. This team up here has been playing great and everyone was doing their job."
What was the key to Berry's solid Triple-A season?
"Just having fun with it," he said. "We had a great group of guys down there and great management. Made it easy to come to the ballpark and try to perform. Just staying prepared and staying within myself."
One element Berry can add and one that got him on the Red Sox playoff roster last fall, is speed. He stole 25 of 31 bases this season and he is 29-for-29 in his major league career, counting 5-for-5 steals in the postseason.
He's a big believer in the stolen base.
"I think it's really big. To gain a base without losing an out, I think that is huge. Especially late in the game. Gives you three chances to score that run from second or sac fly or anything from third. Anytime you can gain an advantage, it's huge."
In the O's clubhouse, Berry is reunited with Adam Jones, a close friend from his days growing up in San Diego. They played high school ball together. Now they are O's teammates.
"This is something I've been thinking about all season. Before every game, getting ready, all I could picture was the opportunity to play with him and for this to finally come true. It's amazing, a great feeling."
Now Berry hopes there will a time this month when they are in the O's outfield together.
"Oh man, it would be awesome," he said. "We did that a little bit in spring training. It was cool to look over my shoulder and see him out there smiling at me and joking around. Although joking around on the field isn't the best thing. No, it's awesome, to have that feeling like we did back in high school."
LATEST ORIOLES NEWS
LATEST NATIONALS NEWS
About the author
By accepting you will be accessing a service provided by a third-party external to https://www.masnsports.com/