Triple A Norfolk

The Orioles announced Thursday night that outfielder Xavier Avery has been sent down to Triple-A Norfolk. Although they have not announced a corresponding move, left fielder Endy Chavez, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, is expected to come off the disabled list Friday. The Orioles don't want the 22-year-old Avery, who has hit .233 with a .317 on-base percentage in 24 games in three stints with the club, to be a fourth outfielder in the majors. They'd rather have him play every day. Steve Pearce and Chris Davis likely will serve as reserve outfielders.

The Orioles optioned right-hander Jake Arrieta back to Triple-A Norfolk following Monday's 4-3 win over the White Sox to make room on the 25-man roster for newly acquired left-hander Joe Saunders, who joined the team during the game Monday. Arrieta could return after Norfolk's season ends Sept. 3 to join the team's expanded roster. He will start for the Tides in a game over the next three days, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. Arrieta, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on July 5 after going 3-9 with a 6.13 ERA in 18 starts, was recalled on Sunday essentially to take the bullpen spot of Matt Lindstrom, who was dealt to Arizona for Saunders.

Danny Valencia, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk before Sunday's game, contributed immediately in his first start in an Orioles uniform. In his first at-bat Sunday, Valencia opened the second inning with a double off Rays starter Matt Moore. In his third at-bat, he hit a deep fly ball that Showalter said would have been a home run at Norfolk's Harbor Park. “He had some good swings off a tough left-hander,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “It's kind of the resume he brings, so hopefully we'll see him again tomorrow and see how he does.” Valencia was hitting .306/.339/.600 in 40 games at Triple-A Norfolk, including a .356/.375/.991 stretch with seven homers, 13 runs and 17 RBIs in his last 10 games.

Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman knew  this morning he'd be pitching five innings in a minor-league game on Sunday to continue to stretch out his arm. He didn't know he'd be officially doing it as a member of Orioles minor-league camp. Tillman was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk Saturday morning before the Orioles' road Grapefruit League game against the Pirates in Bradenton. He will open the season as a starter at Norfolk. The move also leaves 15 pitchers for 12 spots.

SEATTLE - Orioles left-hander Zach Britton was hoping to get more than one start to show the organization that he had regained the form that made him one of the club's most promising pitchers a few years ago. He is going to have to do that again at Triple-A. As part of Tuesday's roster shuffling designed to provide help for the bullpen, Britton was optioned to Norfolk and right-hander Zach Clark , a UMBC product, was recalled from Triple-A. "They needed another guy, the bullpen has been battered," said Britton, who allowed six earned runs in six innings Monday in his first start of the season for the Orioles.

Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, who has not pitched since developing a deep blister on his right thumb May 3 in Anaheim, is getting closer to appearing in a big league game. Gonzalez threw 35 pitches in a bullpen session Wednesday, the last few without a bandage covering the thumb (he won't be able to use a covering in a game). He said he came out feeling “really good.” “The ball was coming out good,” Gonzalez said. “The breaking pitches were fine. I was pretty happy about my performance.” Gonzalez is next scheduled to pitch in a simulated game Friday afternoon at Camden Yards so that the team can best control the environment.

The Orioles recalled right-handed pitcher Alex Burnett from Triple-A Norfolk, and he is in the clubhouse for tonight's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. In a corresponding move struggling right-hander Jake Arrieta was optioned to Norfolk. Burnett hasn't been told about his role, but he could serve as the team's long reliever for the next two days before the Orioles need a starter for Wednesday's afternoon game. The 27-year-old Arrieta, who is vastly talented but has been inconsistent throughout his big league career, has a 6.63 ERA after four starts this season.

The Orioles have reinstated pitcher Zach Britton from the 60-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk.  Britton has been on the disabled list since March with a shoulder impingement. He now will be reinstated to the 40-man roster. To make room for Britton, right-hander Stu Pomeranz was placed on the 60-day disabled list due to an oblique tear. Britton made one of three rehab starts with Norfolk, allowing seven hits and four earned runs in six innings. Britton being optioned means he can't come to majors for 10 days unless there is an injury.

To make room for outfielder Xavier Avery on their 25- and 40-man rosters, the Orioles have optioned reliever Stu Pomeranz back to Triple-A Norfolk and designated infielder Matt Antonelli for assignment. Pomeranz is somewhat of a surprise, especially since he's thrown four scoreless innings in two relief appearances -- and seemed a natural fit for the bullpen's absent long-relief role -- since his arrival a week ago. Antonelli, a former first-round draft pick of the Padres in 2006, has been struggling at Norfolk, hitting .204/.357/.280 with four doubles, one homer and seven RBIs in 29 games.