Hernandez, Viola to join the Os Tuesday

NEW YORK– The Orioles will get an extra set of arms in New York on Tuesday, with right-hander David Hernandez and Pedro Viola expected to be join Baltimore prior to a 7:05 p.m. ET game against the Yankees.

Hernandez (left ankle sprain) tossed a rehab outing for Double-A Bowie Monday afternoon — giving up one hit in an inning of work – and has been on the 15-day disabled list since Aug. 6.  He struck out all three batters he faced at Bowie on Saturday and manager Buck Showalter said prior to Monday’s Oriole game that the organization felt Hernandez was “real close.”

Viola struggled at Triple-A Norfolk, pitching to an 0-2  record and a 17.65 ERA in 8 2/3 innings a before moving down to Bowie.  The lefty went 3-4 with a 3.59 ERA, including 19 walks and 64 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings with the Baysox. Viola matched his season high with six inning son Monday in Bowie’s season finale loss to Richmond and it’s possible the Orioles will wait several days to activate him, given that he just started.

Both Hernandez and Viola are on the team’s 40-man roster, although this will be Viola’s first trip to the big leagues. The pair will add depth to an Orioles ‘pen that has been surging since back-end guys Jim Johnson, Michael Gonzalez and Koji Uehara returned.

Viola is the second pitcher to be recalled under the expanded roster, with the Orioles adding starter Chris Tillman and a trio of position players in Nolan Reimold, Roberto Andino and Brandon Snyder.