Baltimore Orioles News

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Samuel Basallo • C • Orioles

Samuel Basallo Reinstated and Starting on Wednesday

The Baltimore Orioles reinstated catcher Samuel Basallo (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list, and he is starting at first base and batting cleanup for the O's in Wednesday's contest against the division-rival New York Yankees and right-hander Will Warren at Camden Yards, manager Craig Albernaz told Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. Basallo is back in the big leagues after going 1-for-9 with a double in two minor-league rehab games. Wednesday will be his first game action back with Baltimore since July 19. The 22-year-old Dominican backstop will be returning to a .241/.305/.450 slash line with a .756 OPS, 16 home runs, 46 RBI, and 34 runs scored in his 282 at-bats in just his second year in the majors. The left-handed hitter is one of the better young power options at the catcher position, and he is the club's long-term option behind the plate after they traded Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox earlier this month. If you need help at catcher, Basallo should be scooped up off the waiver wire immediately. He is rostered in only 36% of Yahoo leagues right now. Basallo has four hits and an RBI in 10 career at-bats against Warren.

16 hours ago

Cam Sanders • RP • Orioles

Cam Sanders Picks Up Back-to-Back Saves Over the Weekend

Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Cam Sanders came on to record the final out for the Orioles in their win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, and he picked up a second consecutive save (his third on the year) in Saturday's victory. Yennier Cano was brought in for the ninth on Friday but gave up three runs before the O's called on Sanders to lock it down. The 29-year-old former 12th-round pick by the Chicago Cubs in 2018 out of LSU began the 2026 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His outing on Saturday was only his sixth appearance with Baltimore, and he's sporting a bloated 6.32 ERA (3.97 FIP), 1.66 WHIP, three saves, and a 19:12 K:BB in only 15 2/3 innings pitched in his second year in the majors. Late-inning relievers Ryan Helsley (elbow) and Felix Bautista (shoulder) remain on the injured list, with the Orioles going with a closer committee involving Cano, Andrew Kittredge, and Rico Garcia. Sanders' save chances over the weekend probably won't become a regular occurrence, and fantasy managers should have better save options to target on the waiver wire.

2 days ago

Andrew Kittredge • RP • Orioles

Andrew Kittredge Remains a Worthy Waiver-Wire Target

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Andrew Kittredge picked up his sixth save of the season on Tuesday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout in his team's 5-2 win over the Minnesota Twins. Across 35 1/3 innings (41 games) in 2026, Kittredge has recorded a 3.57 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 30 strikeouts. The 36-year-old has been a reliable arm for Baltimore of late, allowing just two earned runs since the start of July. With Orioles closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) on the injured list, Kittredge has also recorded three saves in his last six outings. The Orioles also have right-handers Yennier Cano and Rico Garcia as capable high-leverage arms, so fantasy managers should not expect Kittredge to be the sole closer in Baltimore. Still, Kittredge is worth targeting on the waiver wire in deeper league formats.

7 days ago

Gunnar Henderson • SS • Orioles

Gunnar Henderson Unlikely to Sign With Baltimore Long-Term

ESPN's Buster Olney, who was appearing on Just Baseball, said that Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who is represented by super agent Scott Boras, "in all likelihood isn't going to sign there long-term." It comes after the Orioles traded away the former first overall pick, switch-hitting All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman, to the division-rival Boston Red Sox on Monday for a giant prospect haul. The 25-year-old Henderson has two years of team control remaining, but after that, Olney thinks he will bolt for the open market. The former second-rounder in 2019 broke out with 37 home runs, 92 RBI, and 21 stolen bases in his second full MLB season with Baltimore in 2024, and although he had a career-high 30 steals the following season, he hit just 17 home runs in 2025. Henderson has continued to decline in 2026, as he's currently slashing .218/.297/.393 with a career-low .690 OPS, 18 home runs, 47 RBI, 65 runs scored, and only eight steals in 114 games and 518 plate appearances. His batted-ball metrics do not point to a turnaround anytime soon.

Aug 7

Andrew Kittredge • RP • Orioles

Andrew Kittredge Deserving of Waiver Attention After Earning Fifth Save

Baltimore Orioles veteran right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge is becoming more attractive in deeper fantasy baseball leagues for managers desperate for saves. Kittredge locked down his fifth save of the season by throwing a clean inning with no hits allowed, no walks, and no strikeouts on Wednesday to close out a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Camden Yards. The 36-year-old has allowed three earned runs in 1 1/3 innings pitched so far in August, but he has two saves in his last four appearances and is now second on the team this year in saves. In 12 relief outings in July, Kittredge didn't give up a single run and had three walks, seven strikeouts, three saves, one blown save, and three holds in 11 innings pitched. He's 1-3 on the season with a 4.05 ERA (4.20 FIP) and 1.44 WHIP with 29 strikeouts and 10 walks in 33 1/3 total innings. Kittredge definitely is not a sexy reliever by any means, but with Ryan Helsley (elbow) still on the injured list, he could continue to get save opportunities alongside Yennier Cano and Rico Garcia, and he's rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.

Aug 6

Yennier Cano • RP • Orioles

Yennier Cano Emerging as Deep-League Play for Saves

Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Yennier Cano is emerging as a potential option for saves in deeper leagues after picking up his second save of the season in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the visiting Los Angeles Angels at Camden Yards. Both relievers Rico Garcia and Andrew Kittredge worked before Cano in this one, with the 32-year-old veteran closing things out with a hit allowed, no walks, and two strikeouts in his inning of work. Right-hander Ryan Helsley (elbow) remains on the injured list, and the O's traded away right-hander Tyler Wells, who was the only Baltimore pitcher to have more than one save chance since the All-Star break in mid-July. Cano has been sharp this year, going 2-2 with a 2.09 ERA (2.37 FIP), 0.93 WHIP, two saves, 34 strikeouts, and only eight walks in 38 2/3 innings out of the bullpen in his fifth big-league season. He's been even better since the start of July, allowing just one earned run with one walk, seven strikeouts, a win, one save, one blown save, and two holds. Fantasy managers speculating on saves in deep leagues should look Cano's way. He's rostered in just 5% of Yahoo leagues.

Aug 5

Enddy Azocar • LF • Orioles

Enddy Azocar Becomes a Top Outfield Prospect for Orioles After Trade

The Baltimore Orioles acquired outfield prospect Enddy Azocar from the Boston Red Sox on Monday in a trade that sent All-Star switch-hitting catcher Adley Rutschman to the Red Sox, a source told The Baltimore Sun's Jacob Calvin Meyer. The O's also picked up right-handed pitching prospects Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, outfielder Harold Rivas, and catcher Carlos Narvaez. Per MLB Pipeline, the 19-year-old Azocar is already ranked as the Orioles' No. 8 prospect. The Venezuelan outfielder stands at 6-foot-2 and 168 pounds, and he'll come to the O's organization after hitting a strong .286/.341/.540 with an .880 OPS, 18 home runs, 63 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 76 runs scored in 85 games and 399 plate appearances with Single-A Salem and High-A Greenville. While Azocar's speed has been nice in the low levels of the minors in 2026, it's his impressive raw power and bat speed from the right side of the plate that should be his calling card whenever he's close to making his major-league debut, which probably won't be until 2028. Improving his plate discipline will be his primary focus as he looks to keep climbing in the minors in his new home.

Aug 3

Tyler Wells • RP • Orioles

Tyler Wells Emerging as a Worthy Deep-League Waiver-Wire Target

Across 54 innings (43 games) in 2026, Baltimore Orioles right-hander Tyler Wells has recorded a 2.67 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 53 strikeouts, 10 holds, and four saves. With Orioles closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) on the injured list due to elbow inflammation, Baltimore has utilized multiple relievers in the ninth inning. However, Wells earned the team's most recent save on Friday and may be establishing himself as Baltimore's preferred closer. Wells has notched a strong 19.0% K-BB rate this season. He's also been difficult to square up, as he's allowed just a 31.5% hard-hit rate and 1.00 HR/9. Even if Wells does not see every save chance for Baltimore the rest of the way, he profiles as a reliable source of quality ratios, and his ability to work multiple innings in high-leverage spots puts him in a position to steal wins. Particularly in deeper leagues, Wells looks like a worthy waiver wire target.

Aug 2

Ryan Helsley • RP • Orioles

Ryan Helsley Resumes Throwing

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (right elbow) has resumed throwing while recovering from inflammation around his UCL. The 32-year-old has been sidelined since feeling discomfort while warming in the bullpen July 1. An MRI showed no ligament damage, but this is his second right-elbow IL stint of the season after he was also out from May 1 through June 16. Baltimore transferred Helsley to the 60-day injured list July 19, leaving him ineligible to return until late August. He has a 4.11 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 21 strikeouts, and eight saves in 15 1/3 innings over 17 appearances. Resuming throwing is a meaningful step, though no timetable has been announced for mound work or a rehab assignment. He remains a stash in leagues with IL space.

Jul 31

Adley Rutschman • C • Orioles

Adley Rutschman Could Begin Rehab Assignment Next Week

Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (left wrist) is scheduled to resume hitting Saturday and could begin a minor-league rehab assignment sometime next week. Rutschman has been on the 10-day injured list since July 20, retroactive to July 19, with left wrist inflammation. The issue first surfaced on a swing during Baltimore's July 17 game in Houston, though he remained in the lineup the following day. Rutschman resumed throwing in the outfield July 25, making Saturday's hitting work the next important test for the wrist. The 28-year-old is batting .251 with 19 doubles, eight home runs, 47 RBI, and a .764 OPS in 67 games. Fantasy managers should continue holding him while waiting to see whether he is cleared for rehab games.

Jul 31

Tyler Wells • RP • Orioles

Tyler Wells the Closer to Roster in Baltimore

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Tyler Wells appears to be the closer to roster in fantasy baseball leagues with Ryan Helsley (elbow) still on the injured list, and Wells is only rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues. The 31-year-old veteran and former starting pitcher is 2-2 on the year with a 2.72 ERA (3.43 FIP), 0.98 WHIP, three saves, 53 strikeouts, and only 13 walks in 53 relief innings for the O's. Veteran right-hander Andrew Kittredge has Baltimore's most recent save (on Wednesday), but he also has two losses within the last week and has not been as sharp as Wells. Wells' last save came on July 17 against the Houston Astros, but all three of his saves this year have come in July, a month in which he has allowed just two earned runs with four walks, 13 strikeouts, and a win in 13 appearances out of the bullpen. He's never been a dominant pitcher in terms of strikeouts, but his control is solid, and he does have a 25.5% strikeout rate in 2026, which is his highest mark since his rookie campaign in 2021. Fantasy managers searching for saves should consider Wells.

Jul 30

Adley Rutschman • C • Orioles

Yankees Checking in on Adley Rutschman

The New York Yankees are among many teams to check in on three-time All-Star/switch-hitting catcher Adley Rutschman (wrist), according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers, who is a pending free agent, seemed like a logical fit for the Yankees, but the Twins are suggesting they are buyers with the Aug. 3 trade deadline quickly approaching. Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson is another name on the Yankees' list as they seek a catching upgrade this summer. Rutschman is drawing interest despite an injury-plagued and disappointing 2026 campaign to this point. The former first overall pick out of Oregon State in 2019 is currently on the 10-day injured list with wrist inflammation and has yet to resume baseball activities, so he's not necessarily close to a return. Fellow catcher Samuel Basallo (shoulder) is also currently on the IL. It remains unclear if the O's are sold on Basallo as their long-term catcher, which would make Rutschman expendable.

Jul 29

Adley Rutschman • C • Orioles

Adley Rutschman Set to Be Reassessed During Orioles' Upcoming Homestand

Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (wrist) will be reassessed during the team's upcoming homestand to determine if he can resume baseball activities, per Jake Rill of MLB.com. Baltimore returns home from its current road trip on Friday. Rutschman is currently on the 10-day injured list due to left wrist inflammation, and it appears he will not be activated when first eligible on Wednesday. Across 284 plate appearances in 2026, Rutschman has hit .251/.331/.433 with eight home runs, 47 RBI, and 30 runs scored. The 28-year-old has walked in 10.6% of his plate appearances while posting just a 14.1% strikeout rate. However, he's posted just a 7.1% barrel rate, and his power could now be sapped even further if this current wrist issue lingers. With both Rutschman and Samuel Basallo (shoulder) on the injured list, the Orioles have turned to Chadwick Tromp and Yohel Pozo to handle their catching duties.

Jul 28

Rico Garcia • RP • Orioles

Orioles Turn to Rico Garcia for Monday's Save, Remains on Deep-League Radars

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Rico Garcia picked up his fifth save of 2026 on Monday night, throwing a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts in his team's 8-5 win over the Detroit Tigers. With closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) currently on the injured list, Baltimore has been mixing and matching in the ninth inning in recent weeks. Garcia's save on Monday was his first since early June, as fellow Orioles right-handers Tyler Wells and Andrew Kittredge have been seeing more opportunities of late. However, Garcia has excellent numbers for the year overall, as he's pitched to a 2.93 ERA and 0.87 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and four wins across 46 innings (49 games). While he's unlikely to see every save chance for Baltimore going forward, Garcia could still be a worthy deep-league waiver wire target with some upside.

Jul 28

Luis De Leon • SP • Orioles

Orioles No. 3 Prospect Luis De Leon Earns Call to Triple-A as MLB Debut Looms

Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Luis De Leon is moving up to Triple-A Norfolk and is now just one stop away from joining the MLB roster down the stretch. De Leon is currently viewed as the No. 3 overall prospect in the system and is named to keep a close eye on over the final months of the campaign. The 23-year-old spent the 2025 season in the lower levels before ending his season with a brief taste of Double-A. Over 87 1/3 innings, De Leon posted a 3.30 ERA with a 107:41 K:BB. In 2026, De Leon has spent the entire first half at the Double-A level, where he has logged 81 innings to the tune of a 4.33 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. While his command has raised his WHIP, he has struck out 100 hitters over this noted stretch. If he can improve his command, a late-season cup of coffee with the Orioles is not out of the question.

Jul 27

Juaron Watts-Brown • SP • Orioles

Juaron Watts-Brown Earns the Call to Triple-A Norfolk

Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Juaron Watts-Brown is moving up to Triple-A Norfolk. Watts-Brown is viewed as the No. 14 overall prospect in the system on MLB.com, and he will now be just one stop away from the major leagues. Watts-Brown began the 2026 season at the High-A level, where he logged 13 2/3 innings (three starts) to the tune of a near-perfect 0.66 ERA and a 0.59 WHIP, which prompted an early call-up to Double-A. With Chesapeake, Watts-Brown took a step back, posting a much higher 5.91 ERA with a 1.40 WHIP over 59 1/3 innings of work. However, during this stint, he continued to showcase high-end strikeout upside, tallying 74 strikeouts over this stretch. While managers should not expect him to move up to the majors in 2026, he is a name to watch as he could contend for an early call-up to Baltimore next spring.

Jul 27

Wehiwa Aloy • SS • Orioles

Orioles Promoting No. 5-Ranked Prospect Wehiwa Aloy to Double-A

The Baltimore Orioles are promoting infield prospect Wehiwa Aloy to Double-A, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Aloy is currently viewed as the team's No. 5 overall prospect on MLB.com. He joined the Orioles with the 31st overall pick in last year's draft out of Arkansas and is quickly progressing through the lower levels of the system. He spent the 2025 season at Low-A, where he posted a .288/.356/.500 line, which earned him a ticket to High-A to begin the 2026 season. At High-A (84 games), the infielder continued this pace, carrying a stellar .300/.371/.503 line with 14 doubles, 15 home runs and 12 stolen bases. If he can carry this production to Double-A, an early-season promotion to Triple-A to begin 2027 will be in play. He is a name to continue to closely monitor in dynasty formats.

Jul 27

Adley Rutschman • C • Orioles

Adley Rutschman Begins Throwing the Ball

Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (wrist) has started to make some progress on his road to return. Rutschman was able to throw on the field ahead of Saturday's game versus the Atlanta Braves. He has not started catching yet, so Rutschman still has some hurdles to jump before rejoining the O's lineup. He's eligible to come off the Injured List on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should check back in the middle of next week for another update on his status.

Jul 25

Andrew Kittredge • RP • Orioles

Andrew Kittredge Takes Loss on Friday, Sees Value Fall in Baltimore Committee

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge took the loss in Friday's 7-6 defeat to the Atlanta Braves, allowing four unearned runs on two hits over two-thirds of the 10th inning. A throwing error by Jackson Holliday brought home the go-ahead run before Kittredge recorded two strikeouts, but Matt Olson followed with a three-run homer. Because all four runs were unearned, Kittredge's ERA dropped from 3.86 to 3.77. The larger fantasy concern came one inning earlier, when Tyler Wells worked a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts in a tied game. Wells ranks 53rd in RotoBaller's weekend waiver rankings with a 12-team recommendation, while Kittredge was left off the list after carrying a 15-team tag at midweek. Nearly every Yahoo waiver wire still has Kittredge available, with his roster rate at 6%. He remains worth monitoring in deep saves leagues, but Friday's usage pushed him further behind Wells and removed any urgency in standard formats.

Jul 25

Ike Irish • C • Orioles

Orioles Prospect Ike Irish Suffers Season-Ending Knee Injury

The Baltimore Orioles announced on Friday that first base/outfield prospect Ike Irish (knee) is being placed on the High-A Frederick seven-day injured list due to a torn left meniscus that he suffered while sliding into second base on Wednesday, according to Steve Malewski. Irish, the Orioles' No. 2-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, is likely to miss the rest of the season. The 22-year-old former 19th overall pick out of Auburn University in 2025 will have his first full pro season cut short after hitting .286/.388/.528 with a .915 OPS, 16 home runs, 59 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and 62 runs scored in 76 games across 343 plate appearances at Frederick. It ends a fantastic season for Irish in the lower levels of the minors. He should be ready to play for the start of the 2027 campaign, where he'll likely begin at Double-A Chesapeake. The 6-foot-2, 201-pound left-handed hitter has a mature approach at the dish and hits the ball hard to all parts of the field. There's a lot to like about Irish, who can hit for average and provide plenty of speed. The jury is still out on his overall power ceiling, but there is at least 20-homer potential.

Jul 24

Baltimore Orioles News

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