Notes
LHP Tolliver happy to finally be with O's
“He had a big smile on his face and then ... his teammates came up, congratulated, gave him hugs,” Mills said. “It was a good time.”
A day later, even after an early cab ride and a flight from Connecticut to Houston, that smile was still there. The next time Tolliver takes the field, the 2009 fifth-round draft pick will accomplish something that labrum surgery in 2012 made improbable.
“I couldn't write it any better,” Tolliver said. “Going through everything has made it that much better. I'm so blessed to be an Oriole. I love it here. I'm so glad I signed back here. Just the familiarity with the guys, the front office people, all the coaches from Low-A to the big leagues, just getting to experience it here makes it extra special.”
Tolliver will fill the vacancy left by the trade of left-hander
Tolliver, 28, had a 2.42 ERA in 18 appearances for Bowie, after striking out 61 in a career-high 582/3 innings with the Baysox in 2015. He dealt with shoulder problems that threatened his career, but got his first major league opportunity Tuesday.
“He's just gotten a little better every year,” Orioles manager
“Tolliver was in spring training” as a nonroster invitee, executive vice president
Mills said Tolliver's combination of a fastball that touches 95 mph, plus his changeup and breaking ball, will play well at this level.
“He has a very fast arm,” Mills said. “The ball moves; it has late hop in the zone. To me, his second-best pitch is his changeup. His changeup is a very good pitch, and his breaking ball is good as well. He's a good pitcher.”
“I thought he was happy,” closer
The Braves designated Matusz for assignment, meaning once he clears waivers he'll be free to sign with any team.
Matusz had a 12.00?ERA in the majors after missing most of spring training with a back injury.
“He'll be in the big leagues again, and he'll pitch well again,” Showalter said. “We'll be pulling for him. He did a lot of good things for us, and will again in his baseball lifetime. But this too shall pass, and in the long run I think it'll be a good break for him and hopefully work out for everybody.”
“He's a guy who has had some success at the major league level,” Showalter said. “We added four pitchers [including minor leaguer