Free-agent left-hander Cole Irvin is signing with the Doosan Bears of the Korean Baseball Organization on a $1 million deal. The 30-year-old southpaw will head overseas for the 2025 season after going 6-6 with a 5.11 ERA (4.82 FIP) and a 1.45 WHIP with 78 strikeouts and 29 walks in 111 innings over 29 appearances (16 starts) with both the Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins in 2024. He also recorded his second career save. The former fifth-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016 out of Oregon has pitched six seasons in the big leagues with the Phillies, Orioles, Twins and Athletics. In his 593 major-league innings, Irvin has a 4.54 ERA (4.45 FIP), a 1.31 WHIP, two saves and a 434:142 K:BB in 134 outings (93 starts). If he pitches well in Korea, he could be looking to return to the States again in 2026.
The Minnesota Twins claimed left-hander Cole Irvin off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on Monday. Irvin hasn't started since Aug. 27 but was built up as a starting pitcher at that point. He has gone 6-5 on the year with a 4.86 ERA (4.65 FIP), a 1.41 WHIP and a 76:25 K:BB in 107 1/3 innings over 25 appearances (16 starts) this year in Baltimore. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Twins designated pitcher Randy Dobnak for assignment. Irvin won't join the 28-man active roster until Tuesday. The 30-year-old veteran southpaw will not be eligible to pitch in the postseason, but he will give the Twins some extra starting depth for these last couple weeks of the regular season. It remains to be seen what role he'll operate in for the Twins, but it will most likely be in a long-relief role out of the bullpen. Fantasy managers can continue to ignore Irvin for now.
Cole Irvin Clears Waivers, Outrighted To Triple-A Norfolk
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Cole Irvin has cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday. After being designated for assignment on Tuesday, Irvin will get a chance to work things out in Triple-A. The lefty had pitched to a 4.85 ERA in 94.2 IP this season. His ERA+ of 79 ranked as the worst among Orioles starters. Pairing his 4.85 ERA with a 5.71 xERA, negative regression would have hit the lefty hard and made it even tougher to justify a spot in the rotation as Baltimore aims to win the AL East for the second season in a row. Fantasy managers that happen to still have Irvin on their roster should feel at ease with putting him on the waiver wire. Without a timeline to return to the majors, and without underlying stats supporting positive regression, Irvin's fantasy value won't be returning for quite some time.
Baltimore Orioles left-hander Cole Irvin will move to the bullpen for the time being, according to manager Brandon Hyde. Right-hander Albert Suarez will make the start of the Orioles on Friday for the series opener in Oakland against the Athletics in an excellent matchup. Irvin gets the boot to the bullpen after allowing a total of 18 runs (14 earned) on 20 hits (four home runs) while walking four and striking out only five in 12 1/3 innings over his last three starts against the Yankees, Guardians and Rangers. The 30-year-old veteran southpaw is now 6-5 on the year with a 4.13 ERA (4.13 FIP) and 1.34 WHIP with a 56:17 K:BB in 80 2/3 innings over his 16 outings (14 starts) in his second year with the O's. There's a chance that Irvin returns to Baltimore's rotation in 2024, but for now, fantasy managers in mixed leagues can dump him to the waiver wire.
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Cole Irvin (5-2) was in top form against the division rival Boston Red Sox on Monday. The lefty pitched five shutout innings, matching his season-high six strikeouts, and didn't allow any extra-base hits. Irvin was in control all afternoon, improving his season record to (5-2) and lowering his ERA to a healthy 2.84. Backed by one of MLB's strongest lineups, he should continue racking up the wins for fantasy managers. While not necessarily known as a strikeout pitcher, Irvin should be able to keep his ratios low enough and may be considered a sneaky trade target for a team looking to add an experienced starter without giving up an arm and a leg. Irvin will look to build off his strong outing in his next start on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Baltimore Orioles left-hander Cole Irvin will start Monday's game against the Boston Red Sox. Irvin will re-enter the rotation with starting pitchers John Means (forearm), Dean Kremer (triceps) and Tyler Wells (elbow) all on the injured list. Irvin has already started seven games for the Orioles this season and has seen moderate success. He owns a 4-2 record to go along with a 3.15 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 30:8 K:BB across 45 2/3 innings in 2024. Irvin will offer streaming upside in the right matchups, but his career 6.58 K/9 means he does not provide much value overall. He is a middling option for Monday's game as he was tagged for five runs across five innings against the Red Sox earlier this season.
Tyler Wells, Cole Irvin Front-Runners For Final Rotation Spots
The Baltimore Orioles starting rotation on Opening Day is expected to be headlined by right-handers Corbin Burnes, Grayson Rodriguez and Dean Kremer, with Tyler Wells and Cole Irvin likely the front-runners for the final two spots. Prospects Chayce McDermott, Cade Povich and Justin Armbruester are all in camp, and Bruce Zimmermann is another option. Wells and Irvin could be needed early on due to injuries to Kyle Bradish (elbow) and John Means (elbow). Wells, 29, had a 3.64 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 117 K's and 34 walks in 118 2/3 innings in 2023 but had a disastrous second half with an ERA over 7.00. Irvin, 30, finished last year with a 4.42 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 68 strikeouts and 21 walks in just 77 1/3 innings pitched. Wells will be the more attractive deep-league streamer if he's in the O's rotation to kick off the season.
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Cole Irvin will get the nod versus the Kansas City Royals on Saturday. This marks the first time that Irvin as made a start since April 13. He was solid in Triple-A, posting a 3.21 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 22/4 K/BB across seven starts in Norfolk. It's uncertain if the 29-year-old will remain in the rotation long term, but he'll at least make one start. Fantasy managers should consider Irvin a possible streaming option against the Royals struggling offense.
The Baltimore Orioles recalled left-hander Cole Irvin from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday and optioned right-hander Logan Gillaspie to Norfolk after Monday's game in a corresponding move. Irvin got himself demoted quickly to the minor leagues after allowing a whopping 15 runs on 17 hits (two homers surrendered) while walking eight and striking out 13 in 12 2/3 innings over three starts early on. The 29-year-old southpaw righted himself with a 3.19 ERA in five outings at Norfolk, and now he'll return to the big leagues to provide some length for Baltimore's bullpen. Irvin can continue to be ignored for fantasy purposes as long as he sticks in relief.
The Baltimore Orioles optioned left-hander Cole Irvin to the minors after another poor outing on Thursday against the Oakland Athletics in which he allowed six runs on five hits (one homer allowed) while walking two and striking out four in four innings pitched. Irvin has really struggled in his first three starts in 2023, allowing 15 earned runs on 17 hits (two homers surrendered) while walking eight and striking out 13 in 12 2/3 frames. The Orioles would like the 29-year-old southpaw to work on some things in the minors before they give him another shot in the major-league starting rotation. Last year for the A's, Irvin went 9-13 with a career-best 3.98 ERA (4.21 FIP), 1.16 WHIP and a career-high 128 strikeouts in 181 innings over 30 starts.
