The Baltimore Orioles did what they could to revamp their starting rotation at the 2024 trade deadline. It just hasn't worked out the way they had hoped.
On one hand, the Orioles' trade for right-handed starter Zach Eflin was going swimmingly through four starts, in which Eflin posted a 4-0 record and a 2.13 ERA. But then, Eflin landed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with shoulder inflammation.
And the other starting pitcher the Orioles acquired hasn't been nearly as effective.
Trevor Rogers, who was acquired via trade from the Miami Marlins for outfielder Kyle Stowers and infielder Connor Norby, has had a rough go in Baltimore thus far. But even for how poorly he's pitched, Thursday's roster news was something of a startling development.
On Thursday, the Orioles announced via X that Rogers had been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, along with right-handed pitcher Colin Selby and infielder Liván Soto.
Right-handed pitcher Matt Bowman and left-handed pitcher Nick Vespi were called up, while infielder Emmanuel Rivera was added to the active roster after the Orioles signed him off waivers. Lefty Bruce Zimmermann was designated for assignment.
Rogers, 26, had a 7.11 ERA in four starts with the Orioles following the trade. He allowed 25 hits to opposing batters in just 19 innings while walking 10, contributing to a WHIP of 1.84.
Once a 2021 All-Star in Miami, Rogers has had a rough few years. He had a 4-11 record in 2022, missed most of 2023 due to injury, then had an up-and-down season with the Marlins before the trade went down.
Now, Rogers has been optioned to the minors for the first time since being called up in 2020. It's a rough reality check for a pitcher the Orioles hoped could aid their postseason push. But the question now becomes: How will the lefty respond?
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