Orioles trade for LHP J.C. Romero

Baltimore has added veteran left-hander J.C. Romero to its bullpen after a trade with Cleveland.

By C. Trent Rosecrans

Aug 13, 2012 at 4:49 pm ET • 1 min read

The Cardinals released lefty J.C. Romero after a rough start to the season. (Getty Images)

The Orioles have added a bullpen arm for stretch run, acquiring left-hander J.C. Romero from the Indians, the team announced on Monday.

Romero, 36, was at Triple-A Columbus, appearing in eight games for Cleveland's top farm team. Romero signed with the Cardinals in December, but was released in May after giving up nine earned run on 14 hits in just eight innings with the team. He signed with the Orioles in May before being released by the team in July following 17 games at Triple-A Norfolk.

According to MASNSports.com's Roch Kubatko, the Orioles had an agreement with the Indians that Baltimore could get him back if they had a spot for him. The team said it would announce a corresponding roster move that will be made before Tuesday's game against Boston.

In parts of 14 big-league seasons, Romero is 34-28 with a 4.15 ERA in 675 appearances. Left-handed batters have hit just .218/.313/.293 off of him in his career. He's pitched for the Twins, Angels, Red Sox, Phillies, Rockies and Cardinals.

The Orioles' bullpen has been a strength all season, as the team is a perfect 47-0 in games that it's led after seven innings. Baltimore currently has just one left-hander in its bullpen, 27-year-old Troy Patton. Patton has a 2.58 ERA in 50 games for Baltimore this season.

The Orioles sent Triple-A infielder Carlos Rojas to Cleveland in exchange for Romero.