Orioles activate Blewett, designate Bowman for assignment; Updates on Westburg, Mullins

WEST SACRAMENTO, California—The Orioles activated Scott Blewett, whom they acquired from Atlanta on Saturday for cash considerations, and designated right-hander Matt Bowman for assignment before Sunday’s game against the A’s.

Blewett allowed an unearned run on five hits in 4 1/3 innings in two games with the Orioles in April before they sold him to Atlanta. He was 2-0 with a 5.51 ERA in 11 games for the Braves.

“You’ve got to have a little bit of length in there,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “Bowman filled that role and did a great job for us. Now Scott gets a chance to do the same thing.”

Bowman, who pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in Saturday’s 7-4 win over the A’s, was 0-1 with a 4.57 ERA in 18 games with the Orioles.

“We hope that one of the 29 teams grabs him, and if they don’t, we’d love to have him, and I’m sure we’ll see him at some point,” Mansolino said.

Breaking the news to Bowman was difficult for Mansolino, who’s only been in his job for 22 days.

“If I do get a chance to do this for a long time, it will be difficult 20 years from now,” Mansolino said. “Anytime a guy does well, you feel for him in that situation. Incredible professional, has a very bright future in this game, obviously as a pitcher, but if he chooses to stay in it beyond, whatever he wants to do in the game, he’s going to be very successful.

“Consummate professional, understood what what was happening. Made it easy for us. It’s heartbreaking for us … to sit in those conversations, but he handled as good as you can handle it. I’ve sat in those things in the minor leagues when players maybe didn’t have the same legs to stand on that they did, it goes completely south.”

Blewett was designated for assignment by the Braves on Thursday. He’s been on Minnesota, Atlanta and the Orioles twice his season. He claims not to be surprised by the movement.

“I had no idea. I’ve been a journeyman. That’s the word that people have used,” Blewett said. “My motto is live where my feet are.”

Injury updates

Mansolino expects to see infielder Jordan Westburg, who’s been on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring since April 27^th, on Tuesday when the Orioles open a series with Detroit.

“It’s trending that way, yes,” Mansolino said.

Westburg was 2-for-3 in the first game of a doubleheader for Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday. Catcher Gary Sánchez, who was the designated hitter, was 2-for-4. He’s on the IL with right wrist inflammation. Tyler O’Neill, who has a left shoulder injury, was 2-for-3.

Centerfielder Cedric Mullins, who’s on the injured list with a strained right hamstring, appears to be making progress.

“Cedric took live at-bats [at High-A Aberdeen] against Brandon Young. B.Y. threw three innings on the side. Cedric took 10 at-bats. All went well, ran good, threw good, everything, so we’re trending in a good direction with him,” Mansolino said.

Mullins could be back during this weeks’ homestand against Detroit and the Los Angeles Angels.

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