Stowers and Garcia replace Santander and Akin on Orioles roster

TORONTO - The Orioles placed outfielder Anthony Santander and reliever Keegan Akin on the restricted list today and selected the contracts of Kyle Stowers and Rico Garcia as replacement players.

No reasons were stated for Santander and Akin being away from the club, but unvaccinated players aren’t allowed to enter Canada. Santander and Akin were put on the COVID-19 injured list last summer.

Stowers, the No. 7 prospect in the system per Baseball America and No. 8 per MLBPipeline.com, is batting .253/.356/.545 with 16 doubles, 12 home runs and 34 RBIs in 209 plate appearances with Triple-A Norfolk. He’s making his major league debut tonight, playing left field and batting eighth.

“It’s awesome, it’s a dream come true for sure, and everyone’s been super great,” said Stowers, who called his fiancée and parents with the news.

“It was special, just because they played such a big role, obviously,” he said. “To be able to thank the people who helped me get here was really special.”

Stowers could return to Norfolk after the Orioles leave Toronto and begin their next homestand. Santander and Akin will moved back onto the active roster.

“I think first and foremost is trying to enjoy the day and try to help the team win the game,” Stowers said, “and just see what I can do and how long I can do it.”

Garcia posted a combined 1.93 ERA this year with 29 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings at three levels of the system after undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing the 2021 season. The Orioles signed him to a minor league deal in November.

Rougned Odor is batting cleanup tonight. Tyler Nevin is the third baseman.

Rookie Kyle Bradish is making his ninth start. He’s 1-3 with a 6.45 ERA and 1.593 WHIP 37 2/3 innings.

Infielder Chris Owings cleared unconditional release waivers and was released.

Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah is 7-1 with a 1.81 ERA and 0.962 WHIP in 11 starts over 69 2/3 innings. He’s walked 13 batters and surrendered only five home runs.

Manoah has a streak of five consecutive quality starts. He blanked the Royals over six innings on Tuesday.

Right-handers are batting .145/.213/.238 in 357 career plate appearances against Manoah. Left-handers are batting .254/.341/.390 in 375.

The Orioles have scored six earned runs and seven total against Manoah in 16 1/3 innings. They’ve struck out 22 times.

Ryan Mountcastle hit two of his three home runs off Manoah in a June 19 game at Camden Yards. Cedric Mullins and DJ Stewart also homered off him.

Mountcastle and Stewart went back-to-back in the fourth inning, Maikel Franco was hit by a pitch, and the benches and bullpens emptied.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Trey Mancini DH
Austin Hays RF
Rougned Odor 2B
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Adley Rutschman C
Tyler Nevin 3B
Kyle Stowers LF
Jorge Mateo SS

Kyle Bradish RHP

The Orioles signed infielder Chris Givin, 25, to a minor league contract on Saturday and assigned him to Double-A Bowie. The Padres drafted him in the 19^th round in 2019 out of Xavier University.

Givin is a career .233/.317/.320 hitter in 160 minor league games. He plays every infield position.

The Orioles released pitchers Ofelky Peralta, David Lebron and Kyle Martin, infielder Leonel Sanchez and outfielder Josue Cruz.

For the Blue Jays
George Springer CF
Bo Bichette SS
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B
Alejandro Kirk C
Teoscar Hernández RF
Santiago Espinal 3B
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. DH
Raimel Tapia LF
Cavan Biggio 2B

Alek Manoah RHP