BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles have optioned struggling reliever Jim Johnson to Triple-A Norfolk, a move that coincides with the recall of Brad Bergesen from the same minor league club.
Bergesen was scheduled to start Saturday night against Boston. He was optioned to Norfolk on April 20 after going 0-2 with a 12.19 ERA in three starts with Baltimore.
Johnson has been the Orioles’ setup man since 2008, and occasionally was used a closer. But this season the right-hander has a 6.52 ERA and has allowed five of eight inherited runners to score.
Against Boston on Friday night, Johnson retired only three of eight batters and yielded an eighth-inning home run to J.D. Drew.
Orioles manager Dave Trembley says the move is “the best thing to do for Jim Johnson.”
