Josh

Lucas

Lucas got cut loose by the Orioles earlier this month after posting a 5.74 ERA over nine appearances in the majors and a 6.85 ERA in 20 appearances at Triple-A Norfolk. The 28-year-old right-hander has been assigned to the Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate in Fresno.

Lucas posted a 5.74 ERA in nine appearances for the O’s earlier this season and a 6.85 ERA in 20 appearances with Triple-A Norfolk, where he had been for the last six weeks. He’ll look for another minor league deal elsewhere.

Lucas was designated for assignment by the Orioles over the weekend and passed through waivers unclaimed. The 28-year-old right-hander had registered a 5.74 ERA in 15 2/3 innings of relief this season with Baltimore.

They needed to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Aaron Brooks, who was claimed off waivers from the Athletics. Lucas appeared in nine games for the Orioles this year, registering a 5.74 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings. It is not a good omen for a pitcher to get waived by the team with the worst ERA in the major leagues. He will try to sign on as minor league depth with another team.

The 28-year-old hurler compiled a 5.74 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 16/7 K/BB ratio over 15 2/3 innings with the big league club. A corresponding move will be announced prior to Saturday’s game.

Lucas went down with a right shoulder strain in the middle of last month, but he’s feeling better now and has been cleared to rejoin the O’s bullpen. The 28-year-old return to a 5.74 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in nine relief appearances this year.

It’s his first since he went down with a strained right shoulder a couple weeks ago. Lucas figures to need a rehab assignment before returning.

Lucas notched a three-inning save Thursday and finds himself on the IL a day later. It’s not clear how long he’ll be out.

Lucas was summoned to protect a four-run lead in the seventh inning and needed only 45 pitches (30 strikes) to record the final nine outs of the contest. He allowed only two baserunners (one hit and one walk) and notched a pair of strikeouts. The 28-year-old righty owns a 3.48 ERA and 11/2 K/BB ratio across five appearances at the major-league level this season.

Lucas was designated for assignment by Baltimore last month, but he’ll get another shot to work in mid-relief. The 28-year-old right-hander owns a 5.19 ERA in 26 career innings at the big league level.