Eshelman announced Monday via his personal Twitter account that he's accepted a position with the Padres organization as a pitching coach.
The 28-year-old right-hander spent the entire 2022 season in the Friars organization, turning in a 5.76 ERA over 114 innings between stops at Triple-A El Paso and Double-A San Antonio. Rather than settling for another minor-league deal in free agency this offseason, Eshelman will bring an end to his playing career and transition into a coaching role. Eshelman previously saw big-league action in parts of three seasons with the Orioles between 2019 and 2021, accruing a 4-6 record, 5.77 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 98.1 innings.
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Padres' Thomas Eshelman: Catches on with Friars
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Eshelman agreed Monday with the Padres on a minor-league contract, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
The owner of a 5.77 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 4.4 K-BB% over 98.1 career innings, Eshelman has been far from effective over parts of three seasons in the big leagues. Even so, the 27-year-old right-hander at least brings value to the Padres by adding to the organization's starting pitching depth, which is no small thing after the MLB club struggled to trot out four healthy starters late in the second half of the 2021 campaign. San Diego should at least head into Opening Day with five healthy starters, so Eshelman will likely report to Triple-A El Paso before big-league camp comes to a close.
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Thomas Eshelman: Elects free agency
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Eshelman elected free agency Monday, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Eshelman was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday, but he'll choose to become a free agent ahead of the 2022 campaign. The right-hander made 31 appearances (14 starts) across four seasons with the Orioles and posted a 5.77 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 98.1 innings.
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Orioles' Thomas Eshelman: Outrighted to Triple-A
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Eshelman was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
Eshelman spent most of his time in the minors during the 2021 campaign but made nine appearances (six starts) for the Orioles. He recorded a 7.16 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 27.2 innings and will now lose his spot on the 40-man roster.
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Orioles' Thomas Eshelman: Gets Friday starting nod
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Eshelman is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Eshelman will pick up his sixth start of the season after previously working out of the bullpen in two appearances since being called up from Triple-A Norfolk on Sept. 19. In his prior five starts, Eshelman posted an 8.35 ERA in 18.1 innings.
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Orioles' Thomas Eshelman: Falls to Blue Jays
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Eshelman (0-3) allowed two runs on three hits in 2.2 innings, taking the loss Friday versus Toronto. He recorded no strikeouts or walks.
The right-hander wasn't stretched out for a full start, but Danny Jansen's third-inning homer was enough to stick him with the loss. Eshelman has a 7.16 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 11:10 K:BB across 27.2 innings in nine appearances (six starts). The soft-throwing 27-year-old doesn't seem likely to feature on Baltimore's major-league roster in 2022, as his 6.37 FIP indicates he only had mild bad luck in a disappointing season.
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Orioles' Tom Eshelman: Solid as primary pitcher
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Eshelman gave up one run over 2.2 innings in the loss Tuesday to the Phillies. He allowed two hits and struck out three while picking up a hold.
The 27-year-old served as the primary pitcher for the Orioles in this one with Connor Greene pitching as the opener. Eshelman came into the game in the fourth inning, his only run coming on an RBI-double by Andrew McCutchen in the sixth inning. In what was his first outing in the majors since July 28, he lowered his ERA from 8.02 to 7.50.
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Orioles' Tom Eshelman: Contract selected by Baltimore
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Eshelman had his contract selected by the Orioles on Sunday.
Eshelman lost his spot on Baltimore's 40-man roster at the start of August but remained in the organization, and he'll now receive another chance in the majors. The 27-year-old has an 8.02 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 7:10 K:BB across 21.1 innings this year.
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Orioles' Tom Eshelman: Outrighted to Triple-A
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Eshelman cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Eshelman was designated for assignment by Baltimore over the weekend, but he'll remain in the organization after going through waivers unclaimed. The 27-year-old has struggled in the majors with an 8.02 ERA in 21.1 innings this season, and he also has a 6.41 ERA over 19.2 frames at Triple-A.
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Orioles' Tom Eshelman: Cast off 40-man roster
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The Orioles designated Eshelman for assignment Sunday.
Two days after being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, Eshelman will lose his spot on the 40-man roster after the Orioles needed to clear room for lefty pitcher Keegan Akin, who was activated from the COVID-19 injured list. The 27-year-old Eshelman has posted a 8.02 ERA and 1.83 WHIP in 21.1 innings with Baltimore this season and is likely to go unclaimed off waivers.
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Orioles' Tom Eshelman: Optioned to Triple-A
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Eshelman was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.
Eshelman has thrown 21.1 innings this season but without much success, struggling to an 8.02 ERA and a 7:10 K:BB. If he returns at some point down the stretch, he's unlikely to be a particularly interesting fantasy option.
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Orioles' Tom Eshelman: Moving to bullpen
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Eshelman will pitch out of the bullpen going forward, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.
All five of Eshelman's major-league appearances this season have come as a starter, but he's done nothing to make the case he should stick around in the rotation. He's struck out just 6.8 percent of opposing batters en route to a 8.35 ERA and 1.91 WHIP. Eshelman could be an option to go multiple innings out of the bullpen Tuesday against Tampa Bay, as John Means isn't expected to be able to last too long in his first start back from a shoulder strain.
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Orioles' Tom Eshelman: Struggles in short outing
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Eshelman (0-2) allowed four runs on four hits and three walks with one strikeout in two-plus innings, taking the loss versus the White Sox on Saturday.
The right-hander has yet to complete five innings in any of his five starts, and Saturday's was his shortest yet. Eshelman attempted to work into the third inning, but after allowing the first five batters to reach base, he was relieved by Keegan Akin. Eshelman now has an 8.35 ERA, 1.91 WHIP and 6:8 K:BB through 18.1 innings, and his spot in the rotation could be in jeopardy once John Means (shoulder) or Bruce Zimmermann (biceps) return from the injured list.
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Orioles' Tom Eshelman: Roughed up over four innings
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Eshelman allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out just one batter over four innings. He did not factor into the decision.
The Angels got to Eshelman early, scoring two runs on two doubles and a single in the first inning. They doubled their lead in the third after the 27-year-old righty allowed solo home runs to Shohei Ohtani and Anthony Rendon (hamstring). Eshelman has had his fair share of struggles over four starts so far this year. He owns a 7.16 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 5:5 K:BB over 16.1 innings. He lines up for a rough matchup against the White Sox late this week and ideally should not be considered for any lineups.
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Orioles' Tom Eshelman: Struggles again versus Houston
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Eshelman allowed two runs on five hits and three walks over 3.2 innings versus Houston on Monday. He did not factor in the decision.
While this was an improvement over his previous start versus Houston, it still wasn't a great performance for the right-hander. Eshelman has a 6.57 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 4:5 K:BB across 12.1 innings and three starts, but he'll remain in the rotation while John Means (shoulder) and Bruce Zimmermann (biceps) remain out. Eshelman is tentatively scheduled to start this weekend versus the Angels.
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Orioles' Tom Eshelman: Hit hard by Houston
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Eshelman (0-1) suffered the loss against the Astros on Wednesday, pitching four innings and allowing six runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out one.
Eshelman looked good in his first start of the season June 18, allowing only one run over 4.2 frames against Toronto. He couldn't replicate the performance Wednesday, as he surrendered three runs in the first inning and left after the fourth with a 6-0 deficit. The right-hander was unable to miss many bats in the start, registering only one strikeout and inducing only three swinging strikes. Given the injuries currently hampering the Orioles' rotation, Eshelman could get another start despite Wednesday's collapse. If he does, things won't get any easier -- he's tentatively scheduled to face the Astros again (this time in Houston) early next week.
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Orioles' Tom Eshelman: Picking up another start
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Eshelman is listed as the Orioles' probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Astros, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Summoned from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday after Bruce Zimmermann (biceps) was placed on the injured list, Eshelman came through with a respectable spot start on short notice. He limited a potent Blue Jays offense to one run on three hits and a walk over 4.2 innings, earning himself a second start in the process. Eshelman could hold down a spot in the rotation until at least one of Zimmermann or John Means (shoulder) is ready to return from the IL.
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Orioles' Tom Eshelman: Whiffs three in no-decision
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Eshelman didn't factor into the decision Friday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out three in 4.2 innings during a win over the Blue Jays.
Eshelman tossed 57 pitches in his 2021 debut and was relatively effective while starting on short notice. The right-hander made six appearances (three starts) for Triple-A Norfolk earlier in the year, but he could be an option to remain in the rotation while Bruce Zimmermann (biceps) is sidelined. If Eshelman receives another start, he tentatively lines up to make his next appearance at home against the Astros on Wednesday.
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Orioles' Tom Eshelman: Recalled, starting Friday
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Eshelman was recalled by the Orioles to start Friday's game against the Blue Jays, Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Bruce Zimmermann was in line to start the contest but was placed on the injured list Friday with bicep tendinitis. Eshelman will take the ball in place of the southpaw as he makes his first trip to the big leagues this season. He's previously pitched in 22 games (eight starts) in the majors across 2019 and 2020, allowing 41 earned runs on 81 hits during 70.2 innings. Eshelman's longest outing with Triple-A Norfolk this season lasted just 4.2 innings, so he's unlikely to pitch deep into Friday's contest.
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Orioles' Tom Eshelman: Misses out on Opening Day roster
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Eshelman won't be included on the Orioles' Opening Day roster and is expected to be reassigned to the organization's alternate training site, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.
Eshelman, who attended camp as a non-roster invitee, was initially competing for a back-end spot in the Baltimore rotation. With Matt Harvey, Bruce Zimmerman, Dean Kremer and Jorge Lopez ultimately securing rotation roles behind Opening Day starter John Means, Eshelman still had a shot at breaking camp as a long reliever, but Wade LeBlanc and the newly-acquired Adam Plutko will instead fill those duties. Assuming the Orioles don't require another swingman before the start of the minor-league season in May, Eshelman's first game action of 2021 will likely come at Triple-A Norfolk.
