BALTIMORE — Jamie Moyer, the 49-year-old lefty and former Oriole who pitched three games for the Triple-A Norfolk Tides this month, asked for and was granted his release Saturday because he hadn’t been promoted to the big league club.

“Jamie’s a veteran, and he certainly had the right to decide what he decided,” said Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette, who signed Moyer in early June and said Moyer would make three starts before the club would decide on a promotion.

Moyer did his part, going 1-1 with a 1.69ERA and allowing just 11 hits and no walks in 16 innings while striking out 16.

But there were two issues at play. First, Duquette said, the Orioles already have two left-handers in the rotation in Brian Matusz and Wei-Yin Chen, plus swingman Dana Eveland in the bullpen. And lefty Zach Britton is in Norfolk, as is right-hander Chris Tillman, who has been pitching well lately.

“We just decided as an organization we were going to go with the other pitchers that we have here,” Duquette said. “We also have some depth in starting pitching at Triple-A.”

The other aspect in not promoting Moyer was the timing — the Orioles had an off day Thursday and have another Monday. They want pitchers Jason Hammel and Chen to stay on regular rest. So they won’t need a fifth starter until next weekend. That’s why they asked Moyer to make at least one more outing at Norfolk.

“We tried to explain the timing of the two off days to Jamie and his rep,” Duquette said. “But I understand Jamie’s urgency as well. He wants to win as many major league games as he can.”

Moyer, who has won 269 games in a 25-year career, was 2-5 with a 5.70 ERA in 10 starts for the Colorado Rockies this season before being released June 4.

Minor league opt-outs

Duquette, who has continually added veterans to the minors this season, said reliever J.C. Romero also can opt out of his minor league deal with the Orioles if he is not promoted by the All-Star break. Infielder Miguel Tejada, however, does not have such a clause.

“In Miggy’s (contract), we had an understanding that he could stay for a while,” Duquette said. “There’s no date certain for him to make a decision on his contract.”

Tejada has hit .248 with no homers in 121 at-bats for the Tides.

Romero, who is on the inactive list to deal with a personal issue, has allowed three hits, two walks and no earned runs in 101/3 innings while striking out 11.

“I think it’s the All-Star break, but he’s throwing well,” Duquette said. “He looks good.”

Rotation equation

Manager Buck Showalter has not revealed his rotation for the coming homestand, but if Hammel and Chen stay on regular rest, they would pitch Wednesday and Thursday. Tuesday’s starter is still to be announced — and, because of Monday’s off day, it could be Jake Arrieta, Tommy Hunter or Brian Matusz.

“We think we got an idea, but something could change,” Showalter said. “Hunter’s had three days off (since starting Wednesday), so he’s got the potential to help us in the bullpen if we had a sudden need the next couple of days.”

Another variable is the availability of long reliever Eveland, whose wife, Ashley, is due to deliver the couple’s second son on Tuesday. Doctors expected an early delivery, but won’t induce until a week after her due date.

“We’re looking anywhere from 10 minutes from now me leaving, to a week, 10 days from now,” said Eveland, who can take up to three days for paternity leave while the Orioles can replace him temporarily on the 25-man roster. “Obviously, I’m thinking about it a lot, but it’s not overly stressful for me. She’s a pro.”

The Orioles could add another starter for the end of the week. However, Duquette said, “We don’t have any current plans for that.”

Around the horn

Left-hander Dontrelle Willis, who was supposed to make his first start for Norfolk on Saturday, was scratched with a stomach illness. Lefty reliever Rich Rundles made the start. Rundles becomes the 17th pitcher in 77 games to start for Norfolk; in that span, the Orioles have used six starters. … Reliever Matt Lindstrom (right finger) is on schedule to pitch an inning today for Double-A Bowie. He lasted just 11/3 innings in what was supposed to be a two-inning stint Friday, but Showalter said the most important thing was for him to pitch in two separate innings. He could be activated Tuesday. … High-A Frederick starter Dylan Bundy threw five scoreless innings Saturday against Myrtle Beach. The club’s top pitching prospect allowed two hits and two walks while striking out two. His ERA at Frederick is 3.42 in six starts for the Keys. ... Dylan’s older brother, Bowie right-hander Bobby Bundy, left his start Saturday in the fifth after being hit in the left leg by a batted ball.