O's place Gonzalez on DL, recall Wright
Showalter undecided about Sunday's starting pitcher vs. Yankees
BALTIMORE -- The Orioles placed Miguel Gonzalez on the 15-day disabled list Thursday and recalled Mike Wright from Triple-A Norfolk. Gonzalez, who is 5-4 with a 3.33 ERA in 12 starts this season, has a strained right groin.
The right-hander injured himself in the fourth inning of Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Red Sox throwing a pitch to Mookie Betts, and was scheduled to start on Sunday against the Yankees. Gonzalez got one out in the fifth before the O's lifted him from the game.
"[I'm] a little bummed," Gonzalez said. "I understand that it is the right thing to do. It's not feeling any better. It's still sore. As I walk I feel it. We will just go from there and see what happens."
Gonzalez suffered a similar injury in 2012 when he missed just one start, but manager Buck Showalter said this one is "a tick" worse than his previous one. The right-hander was told he suffered a Grade 1 strain, and had not heard of any timetable for his rehab.
Wright, 25, made his big league debut earlier this season and became the second Orioles pitcher in club history to begin his Major League career with two scoreless starts. Wright is 2-1 with a 2.96 ERA in four starts with Baltimore and 4-0 with a 2.45 mark in seven starts for Norfolk.
Video: BAL@HOU: Wright induces double play to escape jam
Despite his strong numbers as a starter, Wright will begin pitching out of the bullpen for the Orioles, who are down a man due to Brian Matusz's suspension. The rookie was sent back down to Triple-A Norfolk on June 5 to make room for Bud Norris' return to the rotation.
Wright had been following the Gonzalez news, and got the call last night following Norfolk's 5-4 loss to the Gwinnett Braves.
"I was hoping it was going to happen, but it's always good news to know you're coming back. I was very happy," Wright said.
It's expected that Wright will start on Sunday. In fact, Gonzalez told reporters that everyone knew Wright would go Sunday, but Showalter would not name a Sunday starter. With Wright coming out of the bullpen, it's still in question, but he hopes to be available against the Yankees.
"I hope I'm still available for Sunday, but I am going to try my best to help win the next three games until then," Wright said. "If I am available then, then that's when I'll pitch."