BALTIMORE -- Seeking to add a left-handed long reliever, the Orioles recalled Paul Fry from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned Stefan Crichton prior to Tuesday's game against the Rays.
With Vidal Nuno pitching multiple innings in Monday's win, the Orioles wanted to be able to have some length if needed for the next few days. Fry, acquired earlier this month after the Mariners designated him for assignment, has had two solid outings for Triple-A Norfolk already.
"Watched a lot of tape on him when we were thinking about acquiring him, and since then," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "Good, strong-looking kid. He's got a good arm. Good slider. His two outings in Norfolk were really good."
Fry will be making his Major League debut if he gets into a game and said he was speechless when Norfolk manager Ron Johnson delivered the news after midnight.
"It was a tough day getting [designated for assignment] but I know everything happens for a reason," Fry said. "Being here, I'm really happy about it."
Fry knows Nuno, as well as Wade Miley and Seth Smith. He also played in the Arizona Fall League with Donnie Hart and Dylan Bundy.
"You guys, I'm sure, have looked at his track record," Showalter said of Fry, who owns a career 2.85 ERA in 153 Minor League outings. "Pretty successful pitcher. Left-handed, [he has Minor League] options and has a good track record at that level. We'll see if it plays up here."