BALTIMORE (AP) -Garrett Olson won’t be auditioning for a job anymore. Barring injury, he’s now a part of the Baltimore Orioles rotation until the end of the season.
The Orioles recalled Olson from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday and named him the starter in Saturday’s game against the Boston Red Sox. The left-hander will remain in the rotation as a replacement for Brian Burres, who heads to the bullpen.
Olson pitched two games for the Orioles last month. He struggled in his major league debut in Chicago against the White Sox on July 4, but rebounded to beat Chicago in Baltimore on July 15.
Olson was then sent back to the minors after veteran Steve Trachsel came off the disabled list. Now Olson is back – presumably for good.
“He’s earned it. He went down to the minor leagues, didn’t hang his head, didn’t pout. He got better,” Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. “He’ll get the opportunity to start on a regular basis and get his foot in the door for next year.”
Olson’s first task is not an easy one: Pitching against the AL East-leading Red Sox on national television.
“It’s the ultimate, but it’s something you can’t get caught up in,” he said. “You just have to treat it as if it’s just another start and go about your business.”
Olson suspected he was headed back to Baltimore when he was pulled from his start with Norfolk on Wednesday after working only two innings.
“I kind of knew something was up. I had a feeling I’d be starting Saturday, either here or down there,” he said. “I found out last night after the game that I was coming here. We were on the road in Columbus, Ohio. I packed my bags, was on a plane this morning and here I am.”
To open a roster spot for Olson, the Orioles sent left-handed reliever Kurt Birkins to Norfolk. Burres, meanwhile, will pitch long relief.
“It’s not a letdown to be in the bullpen. I’ll just kind of roll with it,” he said.
Burres has pitched in 22 games, including 13 starts as the No. 5 man in the rotation.
“He’s been a great contributor to the club and he’s done it in a silent and professional way,” Trembley said. “Not to rule out that he won’t start again, but now that we’ve got Olson, he’ll be a long man.”
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