Orioles Moving Mychal Givens Away From Closer Role as Struggles Continue

Nothing is going right for the Orioles this year.

With a record of 16-37 thanks in part to a shaky bullpen, Baltimore plans to move righty Mychal Givens away from the closer role due to his struggles in 2019.

He was effective for the Orioles in 2018, finishing with a 3.99 ERA and nine saves in 69 appearances, but that consistency hasn't carried over into this season.

In 19 games, Givens has posted an abysmal 5.56 ERA, while converting just four of a possible seven saves on the year. Things have been particularly tough over the past week in which he appeared in four games, pitched three innings and allowed eight runs. The Orioles lost each of those games.

He's struggled with control this season and hasn't been particularly effective at keeping the ball inside the ballpark either. He's walking upwards of five batters per nine innings and has given up five home runs in 22 1/3 innings.

Perhaps some lower leverage innings can help the struggling reliever to regain his composure and work his way back to being the reliable arm to lock down the game.