Jason Hammel Scratched with Sore Knee; Orioles Recall Tommy Hunter

Jason Hammel has been scratched from Thursday’s start due to soreness in his right knee.  An MRI confirmed no structural damage and the Baltimore Orioles are confident that Hammel will not require a trip to the team’s 15-day disabled list.  The recently demoted Tommy Hunter has been recalled to make Hammel’s start in today’s double header against the Texas Rangers.

Yesterday’s MRI showed only inflammation and a buildup of fluid in Hammel’s right knee.  While this will cause him to miss today’s start, the Orioles are confident that Hammel will be able to recover in time to make his next start.

Hammel has been fantastic for the Orioles this season.  Acquired from the Colorado Rockies as part of the Jeremy Guthrie trade, Hammel has slid into the role of leader of Baltimore’s rotation.

Over his six starts, Hammel has posted an ERA and WHIP of 2.09 and 0.983 with 38 strikeouts and only 11 walks over his 38 2/3 innings of work.

It’s been a different story for another recent Orioles acquisition.  Before being demoted to the minors, Tommy Hunter had only mustered an ERA and WHIP of 5.00 and 1.417.  Hunter will look to get things back on track today against his former club.

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

You can follow Call to the Pen on Twitter at @FSCalltothePen or like us here on Facebook.