CLEVELAND–With the bullpen heavily taxed in recent days, the Orioles recalled right-hander Tyler Wells from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned right-hander Mike Baumann to Norfolk.
Wells, who was 7-6 with a 3.80 earned-run average, was optioned to Double-A Bowie on July 30th after three short starts after the All-Star break. He had a 5.52 ERA in 14 2/3 innings for Bowie and Norfolk, and will be used in the bullpen.
In 2021, Wells began the season as a Rule 5 draft pick and eventually moved into the closer’s role, earning four saves. Last season, he was a starter and was 7-7 with a 4.25 ERA in a season truncated by oblique and shoulder injuries.
Baumann is 10-1 with a 3.76 ERA in 60 games. He was optioned to Norfolk on August 23rd and spent three weeks with the Tides. Unless there’s an injury to another pitcher, Baumann is not eligible to be recalled until the beginning of the American League Division Series on October 7th.