After lasting less than an inning during his latest start, Zach Britton has been demoted to Double-A by the Baltimore Orioles.
Britton faced the Red Sox Friday night in a game that became nationally known for the brawl between David Ortiz and Kevin Gregg that eventually emptied both benches. Before the late game scuffle, Britton found a fight of his own in the bottom of the first.
The 23 year old recorded the first out before the offensive onslaught began. Britton went on to give up 6 hits, 2 walks and allowed 7 earned runs, 8 total. He was removed after throwing 42 pitches and only recording two outs in one of the ugliest appearances of the season.
The lefty was called upon by the Orioles after injuries struck their rotation early this season. Britton started 2011 as an early Rookie of the Year candidate after posting a 2.35 ERA over his first 10 starts.
Unfortunately for Britton and the O’s, that early success has not continued through June and July. He hasn’t been able to last longer than 6 innings over his last 9 starts and has surrendered 17 earned runs in his previous 17.1 innings of work.
"“He’s been struggling,” said president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. “His ERA since mid-May is around 6 and a half, if not more. With the All-Star break, it gives us a chance to adjust the rotation and also augment the bullpen. I think it’ll be beneficial for him to get a respite.”"
While the demotion is undoubtedly disappointing, it does give the Orioles an opportunity to rest Britton and his young arm. He was on pace to log over 190 innings in 2011 with his total from last season only being 153.1. Baltimore has said that Britton’s innings will be limited while he’s in the minors, and that he could rejoin the Birds by the end of July.
In a corresponding roster move, the Orioles promoted reliever Mark Hendrickson from Triple-A to fill Britton’s roster spot. Hendrickson has spent 3 seasons with the Orioles, but Saturday marked his first major league appearance with the club this year.
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