The Baltimore Orioles resume their season and their series with New York this evening after the “traditional” post-Opening Day off day. And they do so with a slightly different roster than what we’ve seen to this point. Late yesterday the Birds signed RHP Dan Straily to a major league deal.
Straily, 32, was released by Miami last week following spring training. He has a 4.23 ERA over seven big league seasons. Last year he went 5-6 with Miami, pitching to an ERA of 4.12. Infielder Drew Jackson was DFA’d to make room on the roster for Straily.
This isn’t an earth-shattering signing on the Orioles’ part. Straily won’t make any big headlines. However he will add a veteran presence to the rotation, which will help other pitchers along. Incidentally, his salary is also being paid by the Miami Marlins. So the O’s have that going for them.
What this does to the rotation remains to be seen. However many might look at the likes of Cobb, Cashner, and now Straily and wonder why the Orioles are shaping themselves such a veteran rotation for a young team. Keep in mind that if Cobb and/or Cashner do their jobs properly, they could both be dealt at the deadline this summer. If that happens, the Birds still have a veteran in the rotation.
The current series with New York will continue this evening from Camden Yards as the O’s try to get even. Dylan Bundy gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by New York’s J.A. Happ. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.
Birdland Crush 