Orioles' Dillon Tate: Healthy, throwing this winter
Rotowire
Tate is healthy and participating in a normal throwing program this offseason, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Tate was limited to just 13 rehab appearances this season because of a right forearm issue, but the Orioles are confident the reliever has finally put the injury behind him. A healthy Tate -- who posted a 3.05 ERA over 67 relief appearances in 2022 -- could provide a big boost to a Baltimore bullpen which will be without Felix Bautista (elbow) in 2024.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Stays with O's
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McKenna signed a one-year contract with the Orioles on Friday, avoiding arbitration.
There had been some thought that McKenna could be a non-tender candidate, but the O's like his ability to play all across the outfield. The 26-year-old will be competing for a bench spot in the spring.
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Orioles' Jorge Mateo: Agrees to $2.7M salary for '24
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Mateo signed a one-year, $2.7 million contract with the Orioles on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Mateo made $2 million in 2023 while slashing .217/.267/.340 with seven homers and 32 steals over 116 games as the O's primary shortstop. He might be more of a utility player in 2024, which will stunt his fantasy value, but the 28-year-old offers good speed and defensive versatility for the reigning AL East champions.
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Orioles' Keegan Akin: Avoids arb with one-year pact
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Akin (back) avoided arbitration with the Orioles on Friday, signing a one-year, $825,000 contract, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Akin missed the second half of the 2023 season due to a lingering back injury and posted an ugly 6.85 ERA in 23.2 innings when healthy, but the O's clearly believe he'll be able to return to form next year. The left-hander delivered a 3.20 ERA and 77:20 K:BB over 81.2 innings as a bullpen workhorse for Baltimore in 2022.
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Orioles' Sam Hilliard: Agrees to salary with O's
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Hilliard (heel) signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Orioles on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Hilliard was claimed off waivers from Atlanta on Nov. 1 and is now locked into a guaranteed salary with the O's for the 2024 campaign. The 29-year-old currently projects to serve as a fourth outfielder and bench bat in Baltimore.
Vavra (shoulder) cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
The Orioles needed to clear space on their 40-man roster ahead of Tuesday's Rule 5 Draft protection deadline and Vavra is one of the victims. He'll remain in the organization, but it's unclear what his health situation is after he ended the season with right shoulder issues.
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Orioles' Tucker Davidson: Removed from 40-man roster
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Davidson cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
Davidson was claimed off waivers last month and signed a major-league contract with the Orioles last week, but he's now off the 40-man roster. The O's are doing some 40-man roster housecleaning ahead of the Rule 5 Draft protection deadline.
Davidson signed a one-year contract with the the Orioles on Wednesday.
After Davidson was non-tendered by the Royals, the Orioles picked him up via a waiver claim and now have him under contract for 2024. The 27-year-old appeared in 38 games for the Angels and Royals in 2023, posting a 5.96 ERA across 51.1 innings. He'll provide bullpen depth for the O's.
Krehbiel was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Wednesday.
This move clears out a 40-man roster spot for outfielder Sam Hilliard, who has been claimed off waivers from Atlanta. Krehbiel, 30, logged only five innings at the major-league level in 2023 and posted a 3.89 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 32:25 K:BB across 39.1 innings with Triple-A Norfolk.
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Orioles' Sam Hilliard: Claimed by Baltimore
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Baltimore claimed Hilliard (heel) off waivers from Atlanta on Wednesday.
Hilliard missed the final couple months of the 2023 season due to a nagging heel contusion, but that injury should be fully in the rearview by the start of spring training in 2024. The 29-year-old outfielder holds a career .718 OPS in 717 plate appearances at the major-league level and has always put up intriguing numbers at Triple-A.
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Orioles' Tucker Davidson: Goes to Baltimore via waivers
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Davidson was claimed off waivers by the Orioles on Wednesday.
It would appear the Royals didn't plan to tender Davidson a contract and instead tried to outright him, but the Orioles have scooped him up. The left-hander made 38 appearances (one start) between the Angels and Royals in 2023, collecting a 5.96 ERA and 46:19 K:BB over 51.1 innings. Davidson has plenty of past starting experience, but it's not clear at this point what role Baltimore has envisioned for him.
