Norfolk Tides Injury Update
The Norfolk Tides made three roster moves yesterday. The first move involved right-handed pitcher Steve Johnson. Johnson was placed on the DL retro 4/12 with right shoulder inflammation. Johnson this season has appeared in two games, in which he started both. Johnson has a 5.87 ERA, has struck out eight, walked three, and allowed seven hits in 7.2 innings pitched.
The second move involved outfielder Xavier Paul who was also placed on DL retro to 4/12. So far this season Paul has been in just six games. In the those games Paul has gotten three hits and has a batting average of .158, an OBP of .273, and has hit one home run and knocked in three.
Here is the Norfolk Tides post on Twitter that reported these moves.
RHP Steve Johnson placed on DL, retro to 4/12 – R shoulder inflammation. OF Xavier Paul placed on DL, retro to 4/12 – low back strain
— Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) April 15, 2014
The most surprising move thus far in the season involves catcher Brian Ward. Ward was transferred from A Aberdeen to Norfolk in the wake of the two DL moves by the Tides. Ward was non drafted in 2009 and has been in the organization for six years. Last season he mainly played for AA Bowie where he hit .260 with two home runs in a total of 49 games. This spring Ward was invited to spring training where he competed for the backup catcher spot behind Matt Wieters but was beat out by Steve Clevenger and then reassigned to minor league camp. Here is the Norfolk Tides Twitter post reporting on this move.
C Brian Ward has been transferred to Norfolk from Class-A Aberdeen roster #Orioles
— Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) April 15, 2014
This morning Roch Kubatko reported that Orioles manager Buck Showalter was told Norfolk Tides starting pitcher, and the Orioles top prospect, Kevin Gausman developed a blister on his pitching hand last night in his start for the Tides. Gausman only pitched 3-plus innings last night where he gave up seven hits and four runs in the Tides’ 12-0 loss. Though a blister is nothing serious, the Tides and Orioles want to be extra careful with Gausman as he could help the Orioles in the latter part of the year trying to compete for a playoff spot.
Here is the tweet that Roch posted about Gausman.
Buck said minor league report stated that Kevin Gausman developed blister on pitching hand last night during start for AAA Norfolk.
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) April 16, 2014
