Piñango gets sent down to the minors

The 35-year-old right-hander had been sidelined since June 18 due to a right hip impingement. He returns to a 4.85 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 31/10 K/BB ratio over 29 2/3 innings through his first 32 appearances out of the A’s bullpen this season. Geoff Hartlieb was designated for assignment in a corresponding move on Friday.

It’s the third time in the last five games that the versatile 29-year-old has found himself out of the Rockies’ lineup. He seems to have been the most impacted by the return of Mickey Moniak from the injured list.

Adames had missed the teams previous three games due to back spasms. He’s feeling much better after the off-day though and is finally ready to return to action. He’s starting at shortstop and batting sixth against Rockies’ right-hander Ryan Feltner on Friday evening.

Watson has been functioning as the Guardians’ primary cleanup hitter since arriving from Triple-A and has provided a much-needed boost to the team’s offense. He’ll get a breather with left-hander Anthony Kay on the mound on Friday night though. David Fry will start in left field and bat second for the Guardians.

It appears to be nothing more than a routine night off for the 25-year-old slugger. Jorbit Vivas will start in his place at third base and bat eighth for the Nationals against Pirates’ right-hander Mitch Keller.

With Ryan Helsley (elbow) landing on the injured list, Nunez will get another opportunity to work out of the Orioles’ bullpen. The 24-year-old righty has registered a 4.98 ERA and 38/14 K/BB ratio over 34 1/3 innings with the O’s this season. He’ll function in a middle relief role once again.

Helsley seems to have sustained the injury, or at least aggravated it, while warming up in the bullpen on Wednesday. No word yet from the Orioles on how much time they expect the 31-year-old right-hander to miss. Expect Rico Garcia to step back into a high-leverage role at the back end of the Orioles’ bullpen, though the last time Helsley was shelved it wound up being more of a committee approach than simply Garcia operating as the sole closer.

Jackson was just optioned out to Triple-A on Sunday, but he’ll rejoin the big league club with Ryan Helsley (elbow) landing on the injured list on Friday. The 26-year-old infielder has slashed .251/.267/.397 with seven homers, 32 RBI and a pair of stolen bases in 206 plate appearances with the O’s.

The Orioles brought back Jeremiah Jackson from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, so Tromp gets the boot to make room on the active roster since the O’s were carrying a third catcher. The 31-year-old backstop is likely to slide through waivers unclaimed and will have the option of continuing to serve as extra depth for the O’s or to explore what’s out there on the open market.

Espino managed a 5.40 ERA in five appearances for the Guardians, walking three and striking out nine. The 25-year-old will likely get more chances in the future but was asked to close out last night’s win over the White Sox with 35 pitches and the Guardians opted for a fresh arm.