Orioles add Diplan, Knight to bullpen; Akin back in rotation; Anderson, Leyba designated for assignment

NEW YORK–The Orioles made yet more changes to their bullpen, adding two right-handers. Marcos Díplan and Dusten Knight had their contracts purchased from Triple-A Norfolk.

Díplan and Knight replaced left-hander Alexander Wells, who was optioned to Norfolk after he allowed six runs on seven hits in 2 1/3 innings in the Orioles’ 13-1 loss to the Yankees on Tuesday night, and right-hander Shaun Anderson, who gave up the final four runs in the eighth inning of the game.

Anderson and infielder Domingo Leyba were designated for assignment.

Díplan, who the Orioles claimed on waivers from Detroit in December 2019, and was later outrighted to Norfolk, was 3-1 with a 4.12 ERA in 17 games with Norfolk. The 24-year-old pitched in last month’s Futures Game in Denver.

Knight, who was a 28^th round draft choice of San Francisco in the 2013 draft, and has also pitched in the Minnesota organization, was 1-1 with a 1.30 ERA and seven saves in 17 games for Norfolk. The 30-year-old is known for celebrating saves with back flips.

“Honestly, I don’t know a whole lot about them,” manager BrandonHyde said. “I do know they were throwing the ball well in Triple-A. We’re giving guys opportunities to prove themselves in the big leagues. Diplan was in camp with us. I’ve seen him throw before.

“We’ve got a couple of fresh arms here, continuing the opportunity train.”

Wells was 1-2 with a 7.64 ERA in five games, three starts, and Anderson had a 9.00 ERA in seven games. Leyba, who was optioned to Norfolk on Monday, hit .154 with a home run and four RBIs in 21 games for the Orioles.

If Díplan and Knight appear in a game, they’ll be the 50^th and 51^st players used by the Orioles this season. The team record for most players used in a season is 58 in 2019.

Akin for Wells: Keegan Akin’s three sharp innings on Tuesday night helped return him to the rotation. The left-hander gave up just one hit, and now he’ll return to starting,

“We’re going to slide Akin into Wells’ spot,” Hyde said. “We’re going to stay in turn. It allows guys to get an extra day of rest, which is needed for everybody.

“We’re going to stick with the five-man rotation.”

When Akin was placed on the Covid-19 injured list on July 21, Wells replaced him in the rotation, and pitched well in his first game, allowing three runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings at Tampa Bay.

“He had a nice start in Tampa,” Hyde said. “The last couple of starts have been tough. This is a tough lineup to face, especially if you’re left-handed.

“You just have to have great command. Alex isn’t going to have overpowering stuff. He’s got to be able to really pitch on edges. He’s got to be able to speed guys up and slow them down and have plus-plus command. That’s what I’d like to see him work down on in Triple-A.

“He got a taste of what this was about. Control is not the same as command. You have to be able to know where you’re throwing the baseball. It’s not as much about the walks as about locating.”

Notes: John Means, Spenser Watkins and Jorge López will pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the three-game series that begins on Friday. …Right-hander Tyler Wells, who’s on the 10-day injured list with right wrist tendinitis could return on Friday, depending on how he feels. Hyde said Wells was a little sore after throwing on Monday.  …Double-A Bowie outfielder Kyle Stowers and Baysox right-hander Drew Rom were named the organization’s minor league players of the month for July. 

Call for questions: I’ll be answering your Orioles questions later this week. Please leave them in the comment box or e-mail them to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.