Orioles release two minor leaguers
The Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds announced a series of roster moves earlier today, including the release of left-handed pitcher Tony Butler from the organization.
Acquired along with Adam Jones, Chris Tillman, Kam Mickolio and George Sherrill, Butler was the only player in the February 2008 trade that sent Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners who didn't contribute for the Orioles in the major leagues.
Butler was 1-4 with a 7.66 ERA in 12 games (eight starts) for Delmarva this season. He struggled with his command, walking 35 batters and allowing 60 hits in 44 2/3 innings.
The 6-foot-7, 220-pound left-hander, who was selected by the Mariners in the third round of the 2006 MLB draft, battled a shoulder injury after being acquired and never lived up to his promise.
The Orioles also released left-handed pitcher Jake Smith and added right-handers Kevin Landry and Tom Phelps to the roster of the Shorebirds from the short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds.
Smith was 3-2 with a 4.54 ERA in 18 appearances for the Shorebirds this year.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
..."Butler was the only player in the February 2008 trade that sent Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners who didn't contribute for the Orioles in the major leagues."
That's debatable.
Posted by: jc | June 14, 2010 4:27 PM
Oh, the others contributed at the major league level. Whether their contributions were positive is a whole different question.
Posted by: Jim | June 14, 2010 5:56 PM
Once again thanks for great news on the birds, if it isn't anything that is worthwhile (which means nothing) then why doesn't the Sun just talk about sports in general because there is so much more that is interesting, like an old man who wins a game of chess in the rain in Somalia.
Posted by: sct2hoty | June 14, 2010 5:59 PM
"Smith was 3-2 with a 4.54 ERA in 18 appearances for the Shorebirds this year."
Funny, with those numbers he'd be highly regarded in Charm City.
Posted by: PeteyPablo | June 14, 2010 10:23 PM
Smith was doing great until a couple of recent of bad outings. I don't get this one.
Posted by: John K | June 15, 2010 2:27 AM
Lefty Jake Smith was bombed in his last two outings, but I am srprised by his release. He was an all star with Aberdeen last year.
Posted by: Karl of Delaware | June 15, 2010 11:49 AM