Major League Baseball's Baltimore Orioles have been busy! The team recently announced a series of roster adjustments, signaling their strategy for the upcoming season. Let's dive into the specifics of these moves, shall we?
First off, the Orioles have added right-handed pitcher Anthony Nunez to their 40-man roster. But that's not all; several players have been removed from the roster. Right-handers Shawn Dubin, and outfielders Dylan Carlson and Daniel Johnson have been 'outrighted,' meaning they've been removed from the 40-man roster but remain in the organization. Left-hander Josh Walker and right-hander Carson Ragsdale were designated for assignment, meaning they've been removed from the 40-man roster and are available to be claimed by other teams. Adding to the mix, Baltimore claimed outfielder Pedro Leon off waivers from the Astros, while left-hander Jose Castillo was claimed by the Mets.
Adding to the intrigue, the team also exercised its club option on right-hander Andrew Kittredge, whom they acquired from the Cubs earlier in the week. Conversely, the Orioles declined their club option on utilityman Jorge Mateo, making him a free agent. They also announced the signing of outfielder Leody Taveras, a deal that was previously reported. These maneuvers have brought Baltimore's 40-man roster to a full 40 players.
Now, let's take a closer look at some of these players. Nunez was acquired at the trade deadline in a deal involving Cedric Mullins. He was originally signed as a shortstop by San Diego in 2019 but converted to pitching after a couple of less-than-stellar seasons. The 24-year-old found success in 2025, dominating High-A hitters with a 0.63 ERA and a 46.2% strikeout rate over 14 1/3 innings. He continued to impress at Double-A, recording a 2.10 ERA. After the trade, he pitched a game for Double-A Chesapeake before heading to Triple-A. Nunez held hitters to a .125 batting average while striking them out at a 32.3% clip over 16 games with Norfolk.
Carlson and Johnson cleared waivers and elected free agency. Dubin also made it through waivers and is now a minor league free agent. Carlson, once a top prospect, has seen his performance decline since a strong 2021 season. He struggled with a 67 wRC+ over 96 games split between the Cardinals and Rays in 2024. Baltimore took a chance on him, but he underperformed, hitting .203/.278/.336. Now, he's looking for his fourth team in three seasons.
Johnson has played parts of four MLB seasons with three teams. Baltimore picked him up off waivers from San Francisco in August, where he went 5-for-24 in 17 games with the Orioles. Dubin, also claimed in August from the Astros, pitched eight innings with Baltimore, posting a 3.38 ERA.
Walker has been on the move, with the Mets trading him to the Pirates in mid-2024. He signed with Toronto as a minor league free agent last offseason. The Blue Jays traded him to the Phillies at the end of May. After Philadelphia designated him for assignment in August, the Orioles claimed him off waivers. Walker has a 6.59 ERA across 26 big-league appearances over the past three seasons.
Ragsdale and Castillo are no strangers to waiver claims, including moves that involved each other. Baltimore claimed Ragsdale from San Francisco in August, only to toss him back on the waiver pile when they grabbed Castillo. The Orioles claimed Ragsdale again in September, this time from the Braves.
Leon, signed by Houston in 2021, reached Triple-A that same season. He slashed .299/.372/.514 with Sugar Land in 2024, leading to a brief call-up. He recorded a pair of hits over seven games with the Astros before heading back to Triple-A. An MCL sprain cost Leon the majority of the 2025 campaign. He played just 25 games this past season.
So, what do you think of these moves? Are the Orioles making the right choices? Do you agree with their decisions on the club options? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
