The Orioles acquired left-handed pitcher Joe Saunders from Arizona Sunday for reliever Matt Lindstrom and a player to named later.

Jake Arrieta will take Lindstrom's place on the 25-man roster today.

There was speculation during the 2011 offseason that the Orioles were interested in Saunders, who is 6-10 this season, with a 4.22 ERA. This move, late during the season, gives the Orioles depth in the rotation. Saunders is 75-62 during 182 career starts with the Angels and Arizona. 

Dan Duquette, the club's executive vice president of baseball operations, said he was excited about adding a veteran left-hander to the rotation, which has several rookies in it currently.

"He's won more than he's lost in the big leagues," Duquette said, "and he's pitched in the American League. He's pitched in the playoffs. We just like his experience."

Manager Buck Showalter has shifted players in and out of the rotation throughout the season without a true ace.

Nine months after the Orioles and Saunders were first linked publicly, it became a reality Sunday.

"This is the opportunity we were waiting for," Duquette said, "and it just kind of came together."

Saunders, a Virginia native, was a 2002 first-round pick and should get his first start in an Orioles uniform Wednesday.

Lindstrom went 1-0, with a 2.72 ERA and 30 strikeouts during 34 appearances for the Orioles. The Orioles acquired him in February as they dealt Jeremy Guthrie to Colorado. Starter Jason Hammel was part of the deal, but has been sidelined with knee injuries for much of the second half of the season.

Duquette said Saunders' local ties could leave open the option to retain him past this season. The move could bolster the club as it continues its push for a postseason berth. Currently, the club is tied with the Oakland Athletics for second place in the wild-card standings.

"I like our ball club's chances," Duquette said. "There's an old saying, 'If you're going in the right direction, keep walking.' The addition of Joe Saunders gives a chance to keep walking in the right direction. I think it gives us better balance against the left-handed lineups we're going to be facing."

Posted Aug. 26, 2012