73 Tom Eshelman RP

Eshelman signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles on Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Eshelman became a free agent in early December after declining an outright assignment from the Orioles, but he'll now return to the club on a minor-league deal. The right-hander will likely get the chance to compete at major-league spring training after posting a 5.22 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 70.2 innings across the past two seasons.

Eshelman declined an outright assignment to Triple-A and is now a free agent, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

It seems like he had been passed over in Baltimore as a part of the future, so he will look to get a fresh start somewhere else. The 26-year-old righty has a 5.22 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 70.2 innings with the Orioles over the past two seasons.

Eshelman was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Eshelman fared slightly better in his second major-league season in 2020, posting a 3.89 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 34.2 innings during 12 appearances (four starts) for the Orioles. Despite his improved performance, Eshelman will be cast off the 40-man roster to make room for Chris Shaw, who was claimed off waivers from the Giants in a corresponding move.

Eshelman (3-1) threw 3.1 innings on Tuesday, allowing two runs on six hits in a 5-1 loss to the Braves. He walked one and struck out four.

In a battle of bullpens, the Braves used six relievers while Baltimore used five as both embraced the opener strategy. Eshelman recorded his first loss of the season on a night where the Baltimore offense sputtered. This was his fourth start of the season, and while Eshelman doesn't generate much fantasy appeal, he has pitched to a solid 4.13 ERA in long relief for the Orioles this season.

Eshelman will start Tuesday's game against the Braves.

The Orioles didn't need Eshelman to work in relief in Monday's 14-1 win, clearing the way for him to pick up his fourth start of the season. Considering Eshelman has covered more than three innings on only one occasion since Aug. 13, he'll likely face a limited pitch count in the start.

Eshelman will likely start Tuesday's game against Atlanta, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Eshelman recently returned to the bullpen and pitched relatively effectively over two innings Friday. However, manager Brandon Hyde said that he should take the mound to begin Tuesday's contest as long as he isn't needed as a reliever Monday. The right-hander has a 3.96 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 25 innings during nine appearances (three starts) this season.

Eshelman allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out one over 2.1 innings in Friday's Game 1 loss to the Yankees. He didn't factor into the decision.

Eshelman started Friday's matinee in place of Alex Cobb (undisclosed), but he was forced to settle for a no-decision as he struggled to limit the Yankees' run production. The right-hander had picked up wins in his past two outings, but he was unable to get enough run production in Friday's extra-inning loss. If Eshelman remains in the rotation, his next start should come on the road Wednesday against the Mets.

Eshelman will start the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

The righty will be filling in for Alex Cobb, who landed on the injured list for undisclosed reasons. Eshelman has made two starts and five relief appearances this season, posting a 3.48 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP. It's taken a .164 BABIP to get him to those marks, however, and his 10.4 percent strikeout rate caps his upside.

Eshelman (2-0) tossed 4.1 scoreless innings Sunday as he earned the win against the Red Sox. He allowed no hits and one walk while striking out two.

Eshelman stepped into a long-reliever role Sunday after starter Wade LeBlanc experienced left elbow discomfort. Eshelman was dominant as he allowed just one baserunner to pick up his second win of the season. The severity of LeBlanc's injury is unknown, but Eshelman could take his place in the rotation if he's forced to miss any additional time. The right-hander now carries a 2.75 ERA and 0.76 WHIP over 19.2 innings during six appearances (two starts) in 2020.

Manager Brandon Hyde confirmed Sunday that Eshelman will return to a bullpen role, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Eshelman's move back to the bullpen was fully expected after the Orioles returned their rotation to full strength Sunday, when John Means was activated from the COVID-19 list ahead of his scheduled start against the Nationals. While Means was away from the team, Eshelman made a pair of starts, working nine innings in total and giving up four runs.

Eshelman (1-0) picked up his first win in Thursday's 11-4 victory over the Phillies, allowing two runs on four hits over five innings. He struck out two and did not issue any walks.

After holding his own in his first start of the season against the Nationals last Saturday, Eshelman was able to get through five and notch his first win of 2020. It's unclear what Eshelman's role will be going forward, with John Means (not injury related) expected to rejoin the Orioles in the coming days. That being said, the right-hander has made a strong case to at least remain with the big-league club moving forward.

Eshelman was named the starter for Thursday's game against the Phillies, Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Eshelman made a spot start against the Nationals on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits over four innings. He'll make another start on normal rest since John Means needs to clear intake testing following his time on the bereavement list.

Eshelman didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Nationals, allowing two runs on five hits over four innings. He struck out two.

He was taken deep by Juan Soto, but otherwise Eshelman was effective in his spot start, throwing 39 of 57 pitches for strikes before turning things over to Baltimore's bullpen. The right-hander will likely move back into a long-relief role for this coming week, but Eshelman could be the first name manager Brandon Hyde calls upon again if the O's need to bolster their rotation down the road.

Eshelman will start Saturday's game against the Nationals, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The Orioles require an additional starter thanks to the doubleheader against the Marlins earlier this week, and Eshelman will fill that role Saturday. The 26-year-old used 37 pitches to cover 3.1 innings in long relief Tuesday, so he's unlikely to work especially deep into the game.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that Eshelman is viewed as a candidate to start Saturday's game against the Nationals, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

The Orioles opened a stretch of seven games in six days Tuesday, so the team will temporarily require a sixth man in the rotation. Given that Eshelman covered 3.1 innings (37 pitches) in long relief Tuesday in the 4-0 loss to the Marlins, he's probably equipped to handle at least 60 pitches come Saturday, when he would be throwing on the normal four days' rest. Baltimore could also have a need for starter Sunday in the event John Means (personal) isn't ready to return from the bereavement list, so Eshelman could be an option to pitch that day if he goes unused Saturday.

Eshelman had his contract selected by the Orioles on Friday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old was a member of the team's three-man taxi squad, but he'll join the big-league club with Kohl Stewart opting out of the season. Eshelman should work in long relief early on but could see starting opportunities at some point this season.

Eshelman will be a part of the Orioles' 60-man player pool this season.

He is not on the 40-man roster and has a 6.50 ERA in 36 MLB innings. Eshelman is eligible to pitch in the majors this season, but it would likely only be as a low-leverage reliever or swing man.

Eshelman was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

This move comes after Eshelman was designated for assignment earlier in the week. The 25-year-old right-hander compiled a 6.50 ERA and 1.61 WHIP across 10 appearances (four starts) with the big club this season.

The Orioles designated Eshelman for assignment Monday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Eshelman will surrender his 40-man roster spot to designated hitter/outfielder Mark Trumbo (knee), who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. The 25-year-old right-hander had been pitching at Triple-A Norfolk since mid-August after submitting a 6.50 ERA and 1.61 WHIP across 10 outings (four starts) with the big club.

Eshelman surrendered three runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one over two innings Friday night against Boston. He was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after the game, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Eshelman has had a rough go of it in the majors this season, as he sits with a 6.50 ERA and 1.61 WHIP with a 22:11 K:BB over 36 innings following Friday's outing. The Orioles figure to recall a pitcher in a corresponding move Saturday.