BALTIMORE (AP) -The Baltimore Orioles recalled right-hander Rocky Cherry from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday to fill the void left by the trade of reliever Chad Bradford.
Cherry began the season on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder, was activated on May 23 and immediately optioned to Norfolk. He was 0-1 with a 2.89 ERA in 28 games with the Tides, but had an ERA of 0.83 in his final 17 appearances.
“I’ve just been throwing strikes,” Cherry said in the Baltimore clubhouse. “I kept working hard and good things have been happening. It’s just gotten to the point where I got an opportunity here.”
His chance came after the Orioles sent the 33-year-old Bradford to Tampa Bay on Thursday for a player to be named. It was a cost-cutting move for Baltimore and in line with the team’s philosophy of rebuilding through youth.
The 27-year-old Cherry came to the Orioles last August in the trade that sent Steve Trachsel to the Chicago Cubs. Cherry appeared in 10 games with Baltimore in 2007 and hoped to make the team out of spring training before hurting his shoulder.
“It was a small injury, it wasn’t really a big deal,” he said. “It was a minor muscle strain, so I was fortunate in that sense. I’m just glad that I got back on track and was able to get back here and help the team out.”
Orioles manager Dave Trembley said Cherry would be used for one or two innings at a time.
“I have not seen him since spring training. I think it would best for him to just keep on doing what he was doing in Triple-A,” Trembley said. “I think a lot of guys get in trouble when they come up here, and now they think they have to reinvent the wheel. The hitters will let you know how you’re doing.”
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