The Orioles remodeled their depth of rotation and internal alignment in one move on Saturday, when they acquired the right-handed Adam Plutko from the Indians for money considerations and assigned Yolmer Sánchez to the assignment. Sánchez was Baltimore’s second projected second baseman less than a week away for Opening Day.
Plutko, 29, made 13-12 with an ERA of 5.05 in 50 appearances (36 matches) for Cleveland from 2016-20, mostly serving in a swingman role. He was out of the Secondary League options and pitched for an ERA of 5.00 in six games this spring, none exceeding two entries. His addition somewhat calms the uncertainty of rotation for an Orioles team that will head north without the designed starter Keegan Akin, who was hired on Friday after posting an ERA at 10 am in the Grapefruit League game.
The O’s are also expected to make a decision this weekend on the right Félix Hernández (discomfort in the right elbow). On Saturday, they publicly committed to only two rotating members: Opening Day holder John Means and Matt Harvey. Plutko now profiles how deep between a swingman rotation / mix candidate that includes Dean Kremer, Wade LeBlanc, Jorge López and Bruce Zimmermann.
Acquired by resignation to replace Hanser Alberto on second base this winter, Sánchez hit .190 this spring, while starting on alternate days on second base. Still, being DFA was a surprise. Sánchez had been appointed to the starting lineup on Saturday before the move, the day after the Orioles opted for two potential substitutes, Jahmai Jones and Richie Martin, for Triple-A Norfolk.
Also on Thursday, O manager Brandon Hyde said he was “very, very pleased with the way he plays” when asked about Sanchez, who won a Gold Glove Award with the White Sox in 2019. Sanchez was set to win $ 1 million this season.
“He’s a professional on second base,” said Hyde. “Doing the routine game, it becomes a big double game. He is energetic in the field, a great communicator in the field and did a very good job fitting in here. “
In the absence of Sánchez, the most likely replacement is Ramón Urías, who drew attention earlier this spring as a candidate for superuser. Urías replaced Sánchez in Saturday’s squad. Pat Valaika can also play second base, as can utility candidate Stevie Wilkerson. O’s can also scour the waiver for other options, targeting players with no options that may be available before Opening Day.