Orioles Send Valenzuela to Minors

BALTIMORE —  Fernando Valenzuela, whose major league comeback with the Baltimore Orioles got off to a stumbling start, has been sent to the minors for two games.

The former Cy Young Award winner for the Dodgers has accepted an option assignment to Rochester, Oriole General Manager Roland Hemond said Thursday.

He will start for the triple-A Red Wings on Saturday, then pitch for the Orioles in an exhibition against the Red Wings on April 22 before being recalled to start the Orioles’ April 27 game at Chicago.

Because Valenzuela is the fifth starter, he would not have started again until April 27.

“It will be good for me to get some work,” Valenzuela said. “I haven’t pitched in many days, so this will be best for everyone.”

Valenzuela, 32, was a sensation in spring training, but the left-hander, who hadn’t started a game since 1991, was rocked by the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night. He lasted only 2 1/3 innings as the Orioles lost, 8-3.

“He’s not getting demoted in any way,” Oriole spokesman Rick Vaughn said. “He’s just getting a chance to pitch between games. So this way he’s going to get his work and his arm will be in better shape.”

Valenzuela was tagged for five hits against Texas, including a 407-foot homer by Gary Redus. He walked two batters, served up two wild pitches and hit a batter.

“It was a bad outing,” he said. “Everything I did went wrong. I think the fact I had only pitched one inning in 13 days might have hurt me. I have to pitch a lot.”