Chandler

Shepherd

Shepherd was at the Orioles’ alternate training site in 2020 but did not get called to the majors. He posted a rough 6.36 ERA across 19 innings (three starts, two relief appearances) with Baltimore in 2019.

They needed to clear a spot in their 60-man player pool for new acquisition Victor Gonzalez.

Shepherd was designated for assignment by the Orioles earlier this week and passed through waivers unclaimed. The 27-year-old holds a rough 6.63 ERA in 19 career major league innings.

Shepherd was just added to the roster on Friday and didn’t make an appearance. He’s clearing out to make room for the return of John Means.

Shepherd posted a 6.63 ERA across five appearances -- three starts -- for the O’s last season. He’ll give the bullpen some length.

Shepherd struggled with his command, and he struck out no one while issuing two walks. He’s a longshot to make the Orioles to begin the season, and this effort certainly won’t help.

The move clears him from the 40-man roster. Shepherd allowed three runs -- two earned -- over five innings in Sunday’s season finale against the Red Sox and posted a 6.63 ERA through three starts and two relief appearances with the Orioles overall this year.

Shepherd escaped with a no-decision in the O’s final game of 2019 because the Red Sox didn’t take the lead for good until Rafael Devers’ walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning. Shepherd, 27, finishes with a 6.63 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, and 17/6 K/BB ratio over his first 19 major league innings -- three starts, two relief appearances. He’ll have to compete for a roster spot next spring.

Shepherd gave up six hits, including a whopping three homers. He served up a three-run blast to Randal Grichuk in the opening frame and back-to-back homers to Brandon Drury and Jonathan Davis in the second inning. He finished with two strikeouts and walked one batter. The 27-year-old right-hander simply doesn’t offer enough strikeout upside to warrant a roster spot, even in the deepest of mixed leagues. It’s unclear whether he will make another start this week, but he’s lined up to face the Red Sox in Fenway Park on Sunday. Regardless, he’s not a recommended streaming option in fantasy leagues.

Shepherd has given up six runs over 11 innings in his three appearances for the Orioles. He could be on the borderline to survive the Orioles’ 40-man roster cuts this winter, so the Orioles will try to give him a couple of more looks here before they have to make a final decision.