Showalter on addition of Crichton, decision to start Asher Saturday

TORONTO - The thought process was that the Orioles might remove a pitcher from their roster to get right-hander Alec Asher active to make a start here on Saturday against Toronto.

Well, there were two pitching moves today, even before the Orioles have to make a roster move to add Asher.

The Orioles today selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Stefan Crichton from Triple-A Norfolk, adding him to the 25- and 40-man rosters. To make roster room, right-hander Oliver Drake was designated for assignment. Crichton's first appearance with the Orioles will be his major league debut. He will wear No. 43.

"We had some things going on for today that (are) still in the works, but, for tonight's game, Stefan will be active in Oliver's place," Showalter said in the visitor's dugout. "But there are some other parts to that that hopefully will come together in the next couple of days."

Crichton probably really started to get on the Orioles' radar with a solid 2016 season at Double-A Bowie. Showing a fastball that touched 96-97 mph and a solid slider, he went 2-6 with a 3.73 ERA. He was called over from minor league camp for several Orioles spring training games and impressed Showalter with eight scoreless innings, allowing four hits, no walks and fanning seven. He went 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA in 4 2/3 innings to start this season for Norfolk.

"There was a lot of tough debate about putting him on the roster or not (in advance of the December Rule 5 draft)," Showalter said. "Very much like Mychal Givens a couple of years ago. Watching him this spring, I felt pretty fortunate we got him through (that draft). Like I tell them when they leave camp, not being on the (40-man) roster doesn't mean anything. If you're the best guy down there, we'll go get you. That is what we've done and will continue to do."

Meanwhile, Showalter confirmed this afternoon that 25-year-old Asher will be recalled from Norfolk to start Saturday. He has only been in the organization for just over two weeks. The Orioles acquired him March 28 from Philadelphia for a player to be named or cash.

Over the last two seasons, Asher made 12 major league starts with the Phillies with very poor stats in 2015, but very good numbers last year. In 2015, he pitched to an ERA of 9.31 in seven starts. Last September, he went 2-1 with a 2.28 ERA over five starts for Philadelphia.

What went into the decision to start Asher on Saturday?

"A lot of things," Showalter said. "Look at where we were. We know that has the potential to be a moving piece until Chris (Tillman) gets back. Kind of play a little matchup there until we know for sure when we are going to get Chris back.

"We've said before we are going to take advantage of the versatility in the guys that we have on the roster that have options. We can go back and forth and hopefully put our best foot forward. The good news is we have some guys to pick from. Not only there, but potentially in Bowie, too. We thought he was our best option at this point."

Showalter said that Tillman will have a work day on Friday in Florida and then head north. He is expected to throw three innings Monday at Bowie.

Meanwhile, recently re-signed outfielder Michael Bourn is going through a hitting progression. He's trying to restore range of motion in his finger. Bourn broke the ring finger on his right hand while trying to catch a football toward the end of a workout in Sarasota. He is not ready to play in any games yet.

Also, Showalter said minor league outfielder Mike Yastrzemski will play seven innings Friday at extended spring training. He is not far from joining an affiliate. The start to Yastrzemski's season has been slowed by offseason core surgery.