Orioles add Stowers, designate Phillips for assignment; Vespi, Martin recalled; Vavra placed on paternity list

BALTIMORE—The Orioles decided the time was right to promote outfield prospect Kyle Stowers to the major leagues on Friday. Stowers was hitting .264 with 19 home runs and 78 RBIs with Triple-A Norfolk.

The Orioles also placed infielder Terrin Vavra on the paternity list, and recalled left-handed pitcher Nick Vespi and infielder Richie Martin from Norfolk. They optioned right-handed pitcher Logan Gillaspie to Norfolk and designated outfielder Brett Phillips for assignment.

Stowers, a 24-year-old left-handed hitter, had his contract selected and was added to the 40-man roster. Stowers was temporarily placed on the 40-man roster on June 13^th when the Orioles played a four-game series in Toronto, and Stowers replaced Anthony Santander, who was placed on the restricted list.

“Stowers is going to see quite a bit of action in the outfield,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Tonight, he’s in right [and batting fifth]. Every day, we’ll look at matchups and it’s good to get guys off their feet. We’re in late August. We’ll try to rotate these guys around as much as possible.”

The Orioles have lost five of their last eight games, and in three of those games their offense was silent.

“I feel like he’s ready to contribute for us,” Hyde said. “He’s had a nice year in Triple-A, and we’re excited about his future. Looking forward to watching him play.”

Hyde said the Orioles will be facing mostly right-handed hitters over the next few weeks and having another left-handed hitter will help.

“We feel like he’s ready to go,” Hyde said.

Stowers was 1-for-7 (.143) in two games before returning to Norfolk.

“Super excited. I think it’s a really cool place where this team is at,” Stowers said. “Pushing for the playoffs and getting the opportunity to be a part of it, and for something as special as that, I’m stoked for.”

Stowers has visited Oriole Park but hasn’t played here, and he’s thrilled about it even though Friday night won’t be his first major league game.

“The little Toronto stretch was like my debut,” he said. “This feels more like my call-up.”

Hyde thought the series at the Rogers Centre was valuable, but it will be different playing at home.

“I’m sure he’s going to be nervous tonight, too,” Hyde said. “Good experience for him to have before today.”

Those four games were valuable to Stowers, who was the third player chosen by the Orioles in the 2019 draft behind Adley Rutschman and infielder Gunnar Henderson, who was a teammate at Norfolk.

“I think it’s just important to be the same guy,” Stowers said. “To be yourself, stay aggressive, stay confident, then also have fun. With where the team’s at, this is real exciting. This is what you want to be a part of.”

Stowers spent much of spring training with the Orioles and thought the team was much improved.

“I’ve been here multiple years and sensed that this year was the turning of the page,” Stowers said. “There were a lot of great pieces and something special seemed to be brewing.”

With the Orioles in the race for the postseason berth, Hyde is hoping Stowers’ offense helps.

“We can get a lot better offensively,” Hyde said, “and Kyle can be a part of that.”

Vespi is 4-0 with a 3.98 ERA and one save in 20 games for the Orioles this season. Martin is hitting .167 with three RBIs in 13 games this season, and Gillaspie has a 3.75 ERA in 12 games. Phillips, who was acquired from Tampa Bay on August 2^nd for cash considerations, hit .117 (2-for-17) in eight games.

Notes: Left-handed pitcher Alexander Wells, who’s on the 60-day injured list because of elbow inflammation, has been transferred from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Norfolk. Infielder Jonathan Araúz, who’s on the 10-day injured list because of a broken finger, will start his injury rehab with High-A Aberdeen on Friday night. Right-hander Travis Lakins, who’s on the 60-day injured list because of right  elbow inflammation, began an injury rehab with the Florida Com2plex League Orioles. … In its latest rankings, Baseball America rates the Orioles’ farm system No. 1.