Baltimore Orioles Put Workhorse Reliever on Injured List

The Baltimore Orioles were hoping to avoid putting more pitchers on their injured list, but one of their top relievers will be there for at least 15 days.

Oct 8, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Cionel Perez (58) stands in / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles added to their pitching injury woes on Sunday as they placed reliever Cionel Pérez on the 15-day injured list with a right oblique strain.

The Orioles called up Jonathan Heasley to take his spot on the 26-man roster.

The Orioles already have starters John Means and Kyle Bradish on the injured list in the hopes that both will re-join the team soon. Meanwhile, closer Félix Bautista is expected to miss the entire season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

The left-handed had an incredibly good season for Baltimore in 2023, as he made 65 appearances and went 4-2 with a 3.54 ERA. He struck out 44 and walked 27. It was his second season in a relief role for the Orioles, as he joined the team in 2022 and went 7-1 with a 1.40 ERA that season, making 66 appearances.

Without him, the Orioles will miss one of their biggest workhorses out of the bullpen.

Ortiz appeared in Saturday’s game and wasn’t effective as he gave up two hits and two runs without recording an out.

Ortiz was previously with Cincinnati (2021) and Houston (2018-2020).

The Orioles acquired Heasley from the Kansas City Royals in December after he spent his first three Major League seasons with the Royals. With Kansas City he went 5-11 with a 5.45 ERA in 36 games. He was a starter in 2021 and 2022 before moving into the bullpen last season.

Baltimore optioned Heasley to Triple-A Norfolk on March 24 and he has not pitched yet.

Heasley was a 13th round pick by the Royals in 2018 out of Plano, Texas.