Wynns waits a little bit longer to realize dream
Sunday’s postponed game to be part of split doubleheader Aug. 25
Catcher Austin Wynns was one of four catchers who had a realistic chance to be on the major league roster coming out of spring trainng, but he ended up being the last of them to actually get to Baltimore.
He arrived in the Orioles clubhouse Sunday morning after Andrew Susac was optioned back to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday night, but the roster move that would make his arrival in the big leagues official was delayed because Sunday’s game against the New York Yankees was postponed.
He’ll likely be activated before Tuesday night’s game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Still, Wynns didn’t have to delay the excitement about his first call-up. “When RJ [Norfolk manager Ron Johnson] pulled me aside, it was unreal,” Wynns said. “It was like ‘Wow’ — a dream come true almost. It just happened and I’m here and ready to get it done.”
The Orioles opened the season with Caleb Joseph as the presumed starting catcher and top prospect ChanceSisco as the backup, but Joseph’s inconsistent performance at the plate prompted the club to option him back to Norfolk on May17 and recall Susac.
Susac, who was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers on Feb. 2, came to the O’s with 104 games of major league experience over four seasons with the San Francisco Giants and Brewers. He played nine games over the past 2½ weeks and managed three hits in 26 at-bats (.115).
Wynns got the attention of manager Buck Showalter early in spring training and hit a game-tying home run in an early exhibition game.
“He doesn’t have to show you,” Showalter said at the time. “That’s what people like about him. He’s engaged all the time. You can tell he really loves what he’s doing and he’s not going to leave any stone unturned to try to make it happen.
“People like him. Pitchers like him, managers like himthat he’s played for. And that comes from a lot of things he brings. He’s got a chance to be a real trustworthy player.” Austin Wynns O’s-Yankees postponed Sunday: Just as rain began falling Sunday at CamdenYards, the Orioles decided not to risk the weather and postpone their series finale with the Yankees before gates could even open.
The game will be made up as the 1:05 p.m. game of a split-admission doubleheader on Saturday, Aug. 25, with the regularly-scheduled game that day to be played at 7:05 p.m.
All tickets to the June 3 game will be honored for that afternoon game, and fans who cannot attend must exchange their tickets on a dollar-for-dollar basis by mail or to the Camden Yards box office. Rumor central: The Orioles reportedly are interested in signing former Red Sox infielder Hanley Ramirez, who was released by Boston on Wednesday.
Ramirez was designated for assignment 10 days earlier, even though he wasbatting .254 with six homerunsand29RBIs in 44games. Hewas on pace to drive in 94 runs over the full season when he was DFA’d, which might explain the interest from an Orioles team that has struggled to drive in runs all season.