Tony

Butler

Butler has missed time twice this year with arm woes. The 2006 third-round pick was someone the Mariners were excited about entering the season, but he’s posted a 6.00 ERA and walked 32 in 39 innings in the Midwest League.

A third-round back in 2006, Butler struggled with his control last season and missed time with arm problems, but is a 6-foot-7 southpaw who works with a low-90s fastball. If his control improves and his secondary pitches develop further, Butler has a chance to be a No. 2 starter. As a hard-throwing left-hander he could also fall back into a bullpen niche if some of the rough edges can’t be smoothed out, but at just 20 years old he’ll get every opportunity to prove that he can stick in the rotation long term.

“It was exploratory surgery on his left shoulder,” David Stockstill, the O’s Director of Player Development, said. “Everything went fine, there were no suprises. The doctors didn’t find any major damage and Tony could begin throwing in six to eight weeks.” Butler was acquired in the Erik Bedard trade and went 3-4 with a 4.42 ERA at Double-A last season.