Notes
Wilkerson called up; Álvarez cut
Moves could signal start of roster overhaul; Machado increases lead
Wilkerson, 26, went into the offseason with the opportunity to earn a roster spot this year, but he opened this season serving a 50-game suspension for the stimulant amphetamine. Since returning, he hit .290/.362/.500 with four doubles, three homers and nine RBIs in 16 games with Triple-A Norfolk. He has also played five positions during that time — second base (eight starts), third base (two starts), shortstop (two starts), left field (three starts) and right field (one start).
“This is a very special moment,” Wilkerson said. “Regardless of how my season started, I’m very happy and very fortunate to be here right now and I’m really looking [forward] to it. … It was a very difficult time. The last few months of the offseason and spring training and the first few months of the season were difficult and I made the decision at that time to try to put my best foot forward and go about it in a way that I was continuing to prepare myself as best I could for when I got the opportunity to play.”
Before his reinstatement, Wilkerson was limited to playing in extended spring training games through late May while he served his suspension.
“He’s played a lot of games since the season started, just not with paying customers,” Orioles manager
Wilkerson has long been well regarded within the organization, and his quick rise was stunted only by his suspension. The 2014 eighth-round draft pick broke out last season with High-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie, hitting .305/.375/.423 while playing four positions. He had a .317/.396/.512 slash line in 23 games in the Arizona Fall League.
His addition will provide Showalter with more flexibility on the bench, which could have added importance since the Orioles played the first of six straight interleague games in NL parks with pitchers hitting Tuesday night.
Álvarez, who made the Opening Day roster as a nonroster invitee, saw his role reduced since
Álvarez, 31, made just two starts since May 29, going 1-for-11 with seven strikeouts. Designating him made space on the 25-man and 40-man rosters.
Showalter said he hoped Álvarez would remain in the organization, saying Álvarez had a “previous agreement” in the minor league deal he signed with the club during spring training.
The Orioles also officially called up catcher
Machado has an advantage of 671,133 to 458,367 over the Houston Astros’
No other Orioles are among the leaders at their positions.
“He didn’t have an off day yesterday, trust me,” Showalter said of Davis. “He worked on a lot of things. He worked at Camden Yards. They have some pretty detailed workouts there.”