O's call up Eshelman to start against Rays
ST. PETERSBURG -- Another day, another new face on the mound for the Orioles.
Baltimore promoted recently acquired right-hander Thomas Eshelman to start Monday’s series opener against the Rays at Tropicana Field. The assignment will mark Eshelman’s MLB debut.
Acquired from the Phillies for international bonus money on June 9, Eshelman pitched to a 4.05 ERA over his first three starts with the Orioles organization, all with Triple-A Norfolk. Eshelman, 25, is 26-29 with a 4.17 ERA across five Minor League seasons, most spent at the upper levels with Philadelphia and Houston.
Eshelman was originally a second-round pick of the Astros in 2015, when current O's general manager Mike Elias ran Houston’s scouting department. Eshelman was a part of the trade that sent top prospect Mark Appel to the Phillies later that year.
Now Eshelman's first big league opportunity comes with an Orioles club starving for someone to grab the reigns of its final rotation spot. They’ve scrambled for weeks trying to backfill a lack of starting-pitching depth, cycling four different starters -- and two openers -- since trading for Eshelman.
The shuffling continued Monday. The club also acquired right-hander Asher Wojciechowski from the Indians for cash considerations, sending Wojciechowski to Norfolk. Wojciechowski, 30, is another former Houston farmhand. He last pitched in the Majors in 2017 and owns a career 6.64 ERA in 30 appearances.
More moves may still be in order. The club also appeared to scratch Dylan Bundy from his scheduled start Tuesday, though it did not provide a reason for listing that day’s starter as TBA now. The O's have made a habit of not announcing their starter until the day of the game, often needing to hold off until seeing what kind of shape their bullpen is in.
Eshelman will be the 45th player used by the club this season, and its 29th pitcher. It used 30 all of last season.
Rookie southpaw Josh Rogers was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room for Eshelman on the 40-man roster. Rogers was diagnosed with a left UCL strain last week.