TORONTO — The call came shortly before midnight Wednesday night, instructing Stefan Crichton to pack his bags and head to Toronto for his first big league call-up.

The right-handed reliever knew he had turned heads during spring training, pitching eight scoreless innings coming over from minor league camp. But he didn’t expect he’d have this opportunity so quickly.

“Absolutely not,” Crichton said. “It’s hard to kind of put what I am thinking into words, but very, very excited to be here.”

The fact that the Orioles called up Crichton this quickly is surprising, considering that he was in big league camp for only part of spring training. As one of the players who went to Sarasota, Fla., to participate in the team’s minor league minicamp in January, he earned the opportunity to pitch late innings of early Grapefruit League games. And as he piled up scoreless outings, he kept getting invited back, giving him the indication he was starting to be noticed.

“Yeah, anytime Buck [Showalter] asks for guys to come over and you repeatedly get that invite, it’s definitely not so much a sign, but obviously you are doing something right if they keep asking for you to come back,” Crichton said.

Crichton said working with Orioles bullpen coach Alan Mills last year when Mills was Double-A Bowie’s pitching coach helped him hone the mental challenges of the game.

“I think personally, you always hear about the mental side and that was something I truly didn’t understand until I worked with Mills,” Crichton said. “ He helped me to understand that better. For me, a lot was the mental side. I have the same stuff I had last year, but I’m better this year because I’m stronger between the ears.”

Asher taking opportunity in stride: Orioles right-hander Alec Asher, who will fill start today’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, realizes he’s one of several optionable players who could be shuttled back and forth between the majors and Triple-A Norfolk this season. But he is embracing the opportunity to further impress on the Orioles that he can be a major league contributor.

“Right now, I’m just taking it one start at a time,” said Asher, who was with the club in Toronto on Friday as part of the 24-hour taxi squad before being officially called up for today’s game. “ Anytime you get called up to the big leagues, it’s exciting. It’s the main goal. You want to get here. You want to stay here, so yeah, it’s definitely exciting to know that you’ve kind of earned a spot.”

Showalter said Asher will have the opportunity to earn a longer look in the Orioles rotation, which needs a fifth starter for the first time this season today. But Showalter added that possessing so many viable options to fill that spot on a case-by-case basis allows the team to be better equipped to play matchups.

“It’s an opportunity, but it allows us to kind of have a 26th player,” Showalter said. “ If we have a need or if someone gets hit with a line drive in the first inning, we’re able to withstand it. It’s one thing to have depth and optionable pieces, but you’ve got to get people out. A lot of people have a lot of people, but can those people perform at this level? That’s the other part of the equation.”

Asher, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies late in spring training, has been in the organization for less than three weeks. He made just one Grapefruit League appearance for the Orioles and made just one start at Norfolk, throwing 41/3 scoreless innings for the Tides on Monday, before being called up.

“It’s been a quick turnaround,” Asher said. “But I feel like it’s all for the good, and I’m happy with it and I’m excited. It happens fast, but you’re playing the same game and when you’re around good people and you’re just changing colors and uniforms. It’s exciting to be in this place.”

Orioles acquire Fry from Mariners: The Orioles added yet another pitcher, acquiring left-hander Paul Fry in a trade with Seattle on Friday.

The club sent the Mariners international bonus slot No. 105, which is worth $198,000. In a corresponding move, the Orioles designated right-hander Parker Bridwell for assignment to create 40-man roster space for Fry, who will be optioned to Norfolk.

Fry, who was designated for assignment Tuesday, had a 2.78 ERA in 55 innings with Triple-A Tacoma last season. All but one of his 48 appearances were in relief. Fry, the Mariners’ 17th-round draft pick in 2013, averaged 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings last season and has averaged 11 strikeouts per nine innings over his five-year minor league career. Fry also has allowed a minute 0.2 homers per nine innings in his career.

“Fry has compiled an excellent record in a short time with a deceptive delivery and a good slider,” Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said. “Our staff likes the way he keeps the ball down in the zone and in the park. We look forward to his contributions to the Orioles.”

The acquisition of Fry, 24, marked the Orioles’ third minor trade within a 24-hour span, and their second deal involving one of their seldom-used international bonus slots.

After Thursday’s game, the club acquired right-hander Damien Magnifico from the Milwaukee Brewers for the 15th international bonus slot — which is worth $885,000 — and dealt right-hander Oliver Drake (Navy) to the Brewers for a player to be named or cash in a separate move.

Fry is the fifth pitcher added to the Orioles’ 40-man over the past week, joining left-hander Andrew Faulkner, right-hander Miguel Castro, Crichton and Magnifico.

Around the horn: Catcher Caleb Joseph made his second start of the season Friday night as starter Welington Castillo received the day off. Showalter said he wanted to give Castillo a day off this series. Friday made sense since Castillo has strong numbers against Marco Estrada, the Blue Jays’ starter today. Castillo is 8-for-26 with four homers and eight RBIs against Estrada. … Showalter also plans to give shortstop J.J. Hardy a day off over the next two days to keep him from playing four straight days on the Rogers Centre turf. … Showalter said right-hander Chris Tillman’s work day Friday in Sarasota went well and he’s still scheduled to make his first minor league rehabilitation start Monday at Bowie. … Orioles pitchers took batting practice before Friday’s game in preparation for the team’s interleague series in Cincinnati.

eencina@baltsun.com

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