O’s Sign Jo Jo Reyes; Release Justin Duchscherer

Baltimore isn’t asking for another man’s trash to be their treasure.  They’re just hoping it can resemble a league average starting pitcher.

The Orioles signed left handed starter Jo-Jo Reyes today in hopes that the 26 year old can bring something to what’s been a disastrous rotation.

Reyes was released by the Blue Jay after going 5-8 with a 5.40 ERA over his 20 starts in 2011.  Reyes allowed 11.5 hits per 9 as opposing batters averaged an OPS of .838 against him.

Before he was shipped to Toronto, Reyes had spent his career as a member of the Atlanta Braves.  He’s posted some solid years in the minors, but hasn’t been able to successfully make the jump to the bigs.  Reyes has a career ERA of 6.04 over his 61 major league appearances, of which 57 were starts.

While this may not sound like someone worth picking off the trash heap, the Orioles can currently use all the help they can get.

Baltimore starters are second to last in the league with a combined ERA of 5.12.  Only one starting pitcher has maintained an ERA south of 4.20 this season for the Birds, and that’s Alfredo Simon who’s started a whopping 4 games.

9 Pitchers have started games for the O’s this year, and only 3 of them have season ERA’s below 5.  The rotation has been a disappointment to say the least.

Meanwhile, Baltimore released starter Justin Duchscherer who was signed this spring but never logged a single inning for the Birds.  The Duke hasn’t been able to fully return from the hip surgery he underwent in April of 2010.

The good news for Baltimore is that they had enough sense to ink Duchscherer to a heavily incentive laden deal and are only on the hook for $700,000.

For more on the Orioles, be sure to check out Birds Watcher.