Orioles option Cole Irvin to Triple-A Norfolk, recall Watkins

The Orioles have optioned struggling left-hander Cole Irvin to Triple-A Norfolk and promoted Spenser Watkins.

The Orioles also placed left-handed reliever Keegan Akin on the paternity list and recalled right-hander Yennier Cano from Norfolk to replace him.

Irvin, who was acquired by the Orioles from Oakland in January, allowed six runs in four innings in Thursday’s 8-7 win over the Athletics. He hasn’t completed five innings in any of his three starts and has a 10.66 ERA.

Watkins, who can be used as a starter or long reliever, is 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in two starts for the Tides.

Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer and Irvin each failed to complete five innings in the last three games of the series with Oakland, and though the Orioles won two of them, their bullpen was heavily used.

Watkins can be available in long relief for Friday’s game against the Chicago White Sox since the team’s main long reliever, Austin Voth, pitched two innings in Thursday’s game.

Irvin must stay at Norfolk for 15 days unless he’s replacing an injured player. He was optioned after Thursday’s game.

The Orioles could reinstate right-hander Kyle Bradish from the 15-day injured list for Wednesday’s game at Washington. Bradish, who suffered a bruised right foot on April 3^rd, will pitch a rehab game for Double-A Bowie on Friday night.

With offdays next Monday and Thursday, the Orioles could keep Watkins in the bullpen for now.

Akin has pitched in six of the Orioles’ first 13 games and has an ERA of 8.31. He was warming up in the bullpen and would have pitched the 10^th inning if the Orioles didn’t win Thursday’s game in the bottom of the ninth inning on a home run by Adley Rutschman.