Orioles Make Third Round Roster Cuts
The Baltimore Orioles made their third round of roster cuts Sunday morning. Some Orioles fans might be disappointed with some of the transactions and others were somewhat expected.
Spring Training phenom Austin Hays was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after slashing .351/.385/.892 in 12 exhibition games. Hays had 13 hits this spring, three doubles, one triple, and five home runs. He drove in 13 and scored 10 runs. Hays was coming off ankle surgery entering this spring, but showed no signs of setback or restrictions.
Many fans are confused or upset with the option of Hays, but there is a good reason why the Orioles decided to send him down. Hays would have to stay in the minors until around mid-May of this season to have a full six years of major league service before entering free agency. Hays can get an extra month of at-bats in Norfolk and then be called up sometime in May. So, believe it or not, this is the right move to make for the club.
Hays commented about his option on Sunday.
“I was a little bit surprised. I was putting up some good numbers, I was feeling good, feeling healthy. I still haven’t played too many games in the minor leagues. I haven’t had too many at-bats. I missed almost a whole year due to injuries. There’s some time I need to make up. Just keep doing what I’m doing, keep the momentum that I built here in spring training and carry it into the season wherever it is.”
Austin Hays- Orioles outfielder
Another notable name optioned was Anthony Santander. Santander, like Hays, was performing very well this spring, batting .333/.389/1.086 with 11 hits, 2 home runs, and 7 RBIs. Santander will most likely perform the same process as Hays and will be called up later in the season.
Pitchers Yefry Ramirez, Gabriel Ynoa, Cody Carroll, and Branden Kline were also optioned. Ramirez was fighting for a starting rotation spot, while Ynoa, Carroll, and Kline were trying to make a bullpen roll. Also optioned was utility player Christopher Bostick.
The Orioles now have 39 players in camp.
