BALTIMORE -- The Orioles optioned right-hander Tyler Wilson to Triple-A Norfolk after Friday's 15-8 loss to the Astros. The move clears room for Baltimore to add a long reliever for Saturday's game after it needed to use all three of its long men when starter Wade Miley lasted just 1 2/3 innings.
Wilson pitched two innings Friday, allowing four runs on five hits. It's the third time he's been sent down this season.
While the O's have their most dependable pitcher in ace Chris Tillman starting Saturday, he's dealing with right shoulder discomfort, exacerbating the need to have length available in the bullpen. Tillman was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday.
"I'm sure we'll have to make some adjustments, especially with Chris pitching tomorrow," manager Buck Showalter said after Friday's loss. "We hope everything's OK. But you've got to cover yourself in case he isn't. If he warms up and has an issue, what if?"
Showalter used Ubaldo Jiménez for three innings (52 pitches) and Vance Worley for two innings (36 pitches) as the O's allowed a season-high 15 runs.
One option is to call up righty Odrisamer Despaigne, who's scheduled to start for Norfolk on Saturday. He has a 4.81 ERA over 15 games with Baltimore this season.