As he’s sent out pitching prospects from big league camp this spring, Orioles manager Buck Showalter has often said it’s because the innings in major league games are disappearing and there’s no time for them to pitch. For the young, up-and-coming arms, a return to minor league camp means they can work as starters and get more innings than they would in major league camp.
But for those non-roster invitees in the bullpen who don’t go back to minor league camp, this time of year is always the most difficult. On Saturday, veteran reliever Dale Thayer exercised an opt-out in his contract that allowed him to leave the Orioles and become a free agent.