Orioles designate Plutko for assignment; Knight to Norfolk, Abad, Wade added; Orioles Zimmermann can return before season’s end

BOSTON–After allowing seven home runs in his last 8 1/3 innings, the Orioles designated right-handed pitcher Adam Plutko for assignment on Sunday. Plutko, who was acquired from Cleveland just before the end of spring training, gave up 17 home runs in 56 1/3 innings.

Plutko was 1-2 with a 6.71 ERA and had blown three of four save opportunities.

“He lost command of his cutter,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Early on in the year in April, he pitched some big innings for us, got a lot of huge outs for us, the first month, month-and-a-half. His command was good, wasn’t walking guys. As of late, he was spraying it around, walking the leadoff hitter, extending innings, leading to homers, leading to big innings.

“Sad to see Adam go. He was a great guy. I hope he gets an opportunity, hoping he can get back to that early start he had with us because he was really, really good for us. He struggled as of late.”

The Orioles also optioned right-hander Dusten Knight to Triple-A Norfolk while  purchasing the contracts of left-hander Fernando Abad and right-hander Konner Wade from Norfolk.

They also transferred left-handed pitcher Bruce Zimmermann from the 10-day to 60-day injured list with a sprained right ankle. Zimmermann was injured while working out in Norfolk’s weight room.

“There are further tests,” Hyde said. “We’re hoping that there’s a chance he pitches before the season’s over, but we’re not sure. We’ll have to see how the ankle recovers, and what the doctors say about it.”

Knight had a 7.36 ERA in five appearances.

The 35-year-old Abad, who was signed to a minor league contract by the Orioles last December 21, is 8-29 with two saves a 3.67 ERA in nine major league seasons with Houston, Washington, Oakland, Minnesota, Boston and San Francisco.

In 26 games with Norfolk, Abad was 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA and three saves.

Wade, who allowed six runs on seven hits in 1 2/3 innings in his only appearance with the Orioles on June 26,  was 3-2 with a 3.03 ERA in 15 games with the Tides.

When Abad pitches in a game, he’ll be the 53rd player used by the Orioles this season.

“It’s what it is for us this season,” Hyde said. “It’s a revolving door from a pitching standpoint. Hoping that guys can come in and throw well, but we’ve had our struggles and hopefully, we can start pitching better the last six weeks.”