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Christian Franklin Christian Franklin Slated for promotion
Tue, Aug 4, 2026, 11:14 AM
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Tuesday on MLB Network Radio that Franklin will be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.
Analysis: Acquired from the Nationals via trade Monday, Franklin is poised to report directly to the major-league club. He's slashed .249/.375/.360 with six home runs, 17 stolen bases and a 65:107 BB:K over 93 games at the Triple-A level in 2026. Franklin can handle all three outfield spots and is likely to operate in a reserve role. |
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Christian Franklin Christian Franklin Traded again
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 5:55 PM
The Nationals traded Franklin to the Orioles on Monday in exchange for Joe Glassey, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.
Analysis: Franklin is on the 40-man roster and has been league average (101 wRC+) in 93 games at Triple-A as a 26-year-old. He has plus speed and good defensive chops and will hope to eventually carve out time as a reserve outfielder. Franklin was traded from the Cubs to the Nationals at last year's deadline. |
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Traded back to Baltimore
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 4:06 PM
The Orioles acquired Forret from the Rays on Monday in exchange for right-hander Tyler Wells, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Forret makes his way back to Baltimore after being drafted by the Orioles back in 2023. The 22-year-old was also a part of the deal that sent Shane Baz to Baltimore back in December of 2025. With Triple-A Durham, Forret owns a 4.89 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 46:18 K:BB through 38.2 innings. The young right-hander will most likely join Triple-A Norfolk in his return to the Orioles organization. |
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Carlos Narvaez Carlos Narvaez Moving on to Baltimore
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 2:48 PM
The Orioles acquired Narvaez, right-handers Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, outfielder Enddy Azocar and a player to be named later from the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for catchers Adley Rutschman (wrist), Jake Rogers and cash, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Though he had faded into a timeshare behind the plate in Boston with Connor Wong, Narvaez should settle in as the new No. 1 backstop for the Orioles, at least until Samuel Basallo (shoulder) makes his return from the injured list. Narvaez delivered a serviceable .725 OPS with 15 home runs over 118 games in his first full big-league campaign in 2025, but he's seen both his power and contact rate tail off dramatically in 2026. The 27-year-old slashed just .187/.260/.275 with a .088 ISO and 33.5 percent strikeout rate over 197 plate appearances with Boston this season. |
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Packaged to Baltimore
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 2:29 PM
The Orioles acquired Witherspoon, right-hander Anthony Eyanson, outfielder Enddy Azocar, catcher Carlos Narvaez and a player to be named later from the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for catchers Adley Rutschman, Jake Rogers and cash, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: A first-round draft pick in 2025, Witherspoon had been regarded as one of the top lower-level arms in Boston's farm system, even despite his uneven results during his first season of pro ball. The 21-year-old righty turned in a 4.78 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 78:34 K:BB while surrendering 10 home runs over 75.1 innings at High-A Greenville. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Witherspoon is regarded as a good athlete with a deep arsenal that includes multiple pitches with plus potential, making him an intriguing developmental prospect for the Orioles. He's expected to report to High-A Frederick to kick off his time in the Baltimore organization. |
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Part of prospect haul for Rutschman
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 2:19 PM
The Orioles acquired Azocar, right-handers Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, catcher Carlos Narvaez and a player to be named from the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for catchers Adley Rutschman, Jake Rogers and cash, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Narvaez is the only big-league player headed back to Baltimore in the deal, but the trio of Azocar, Eyanson and Witherspoon -- three of the top prospects in Boston's system -- represents a massive return for Rutschman. A 19-year-old outfielder, Azocar packs a good deal of power into his 6-foot-2, 168-pound frame and has slugged 18 home runs over 399 plate appearances between Single-A Salem and High-A Greenville. He's also chipped in 10 steals in 12 attempts, though he doesn't project to be a major difference-maker in that category by the time he reaches the big leagues. |
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On move to Baltimore
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 2:11 PM
The Orioles acquired Eyanson, right-hander Kyson Witherspoon, outfielder Enddy Azocar, catcher Carlos Narvaez and a player to be named later from the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for catchers Adley Rutschman, Jake Rogers and cash, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Narvaez is the only big-league player headed back to Baltimore, while the trio of Eyanson, Witherspoon and Azocar were three of the top-rated prospects in the Boston farm system. Eyanson headed into 2026 will limited fanfare, but the 22-year-old righty has shot up prospect lists after displaying an uptick in velocity during his first season of professional ball and elite results to match it. Between 16 appearances (15 starts) at High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland spanning 68.1 innings, Eyanson has submitted a 1.32 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 26.5 K-BB%. He'll likely report to Double-A Chesapeake with his new organization, and with a strong finish to the campaign, he should set himself up for an early-2027 MLB debut. |
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Adley Rutschman Adley Rutschman Trade to Red Sox could be close
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 12:27 PM
The Red Sox and Orioles "have a deal arranged" for Rutschman (wrist), Buster Olney of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Olney adds that the potential trade still needs Boston's final approval before it goes through. It seems there is real momentum for the deal to be completed. However, Rutschman is currently on the 10-day injured list with left wrist inflammation, so the Red Sox must pore over the catcher's medicals before signing off on a trade. The switch-hitting catcher resumed hitting this past weekend and could be ready for rehab games any day now. Rutschman has had a nice bounce-back season, slashing .251/.331/.433 with eight homers while playing his usual stellar defense. He is under team control through the end of the 2027 season. |
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Dealt to Baltimore
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 11:51 AM
The Orioles acquired Moore and right-handers Alex Hoppe and Harrison Kreiling from the Mariners on Monday in exchange for outfielder Taylor Ward, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The right-handed reliever has split the 2026 season between the High-A and Double-A levels, logging a 3.72 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 67:20 K:BB in 38.2 innings. Though his excellent 42.1 percent strikeout rate would normally make him a relief prospect worth tracking, Moore's stellar production comes with the caveat that he turned 26 in May and is much older than most of his peers at Double-A. |
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Acquired by O's
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 11:47 AM
The Orioles acquired Kreiling and right-handers Alex Hoppe and Brock Moore from the Mariners on Monday in exchange for outfielder Taylor Ward, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Kreiling, 24, has spent most of the season on the injured list at Single-A Inland Empire but was cleared to debut for the affiliate last week after completing a three-appearance rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. The right-hander has performed well since returning to action in July, logging a 1.69 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and 16:1 K:BB in 10.2 innings between the two minor-league stops. He'll most likely join the Orioles' Carolina League affiliate in Delmarva. |
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Alex Hoppe Alex Hoppe Baltimore-bound in four-player deal
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 11:42 AM
The Orioles acquired Hoppe and right-handers Harrison Kreiling and Brock Moore from the Mariners on Monday in exchange for outfielder Taylor Ward, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Hoppe is the only big-league-ready arm the Orioles will receive in the deal, as Kreiling and Moore haven't pitched above the Single-A and Double-A levels, respectively. A 27-year-old righty, Hoppe reached the majors for the first time in April and compiled a 5.79 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 34:11 K:BB in 28 innings while working mostly in middle relief for Seattle. He'll likely slot into a similar role in the Baltimore bullpen. |
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Chris Bassitt Chris Bassitt Covers 67 pitches in rehab start
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 11:00 AM
Bassitt (back) struck out four and allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk Sunday in a rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk. He also hit three batters.
Analysis: Making the second start of his rehab assignment with Norfolk, Bassitt wasn't especially sharp, but he was able to build up his workload as he works his way back from a late-June procedure to remove bone spurs from his back. The right-hander tossed 67 pitches (47 strikes) and averaged 91.1 mph with his sinker, just under a tick below his season-long average. From a volume standpoint, Bassitt looks like he could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list, though the Orioles may want to see him show improved efficiency in one more rehab appearance before adding him back to the big-league rotation. |
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Kyle Bradish Kyle Bradish Falls to Phillies
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 7:13 PM
Bradish (7-10) took the loss Sunday in a rain-shortened outing against the Phillies, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks over three innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: Both runs charged to Bradish came on Bryan De La Cruz's homer in the third inning, the first long ball he's given up since the All-Star break, which proved enough to leave him with the loss in an 8-0, rain-shortened defeat. Bradish's ERA now sits at 3.79 through 22 starts (121 innings) this season with a 1.36 WHIP and 117:54 K:BB. He's currently in line for a road matchup with the Rangers his next time out. |
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Coby Mayo Coby Mayo Sitting after five straight starts
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 9:39 AM
Mayo is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Though he'll take a seat against Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler in the series finale, Mayo had been included in the lineup at third base or designated hitter in each of the last five games. The Orioles faced three right-handers and two lefties during that stretch, with Mayo going 4-for-16 with one home run, two walks, five RBI and four runs. Christian Encarnacion-Strand will receive the nod at third base Sunday, but Mayo still looks like he could be in store for fairly steady playing time at the position against right-handed pitching so long as he's performing adequately at the plate. |
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Shane Baz Shane Baz Tough-luck loss Saturday
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 9:17 PM
Baz (4-10) took the loss Saturday against the Phillies, allowing one run on six hits and one walk in 6.1 innings. He struck out four.
Analysis: It was a hard-luck loss for Baz, who held an imposing Philadelphia lineup scoreless until the fifth inning. The right-hander has found his groove after opening the year with a 5.48 ERA through his first eight starts, as he's logged nine quality starts in his last 14 outings and given up more two runs just four times during that span. Baz will carry a decent 3.86 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 111:45 K:BB over 128.1 frames into his next scheduled appearance in Texas. |
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Sam Huff Sam Huff Accepts assignment to Triple-A
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 6:24 PM
Huff accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday after clearing waivers, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
Analysis: Huff was booted off the Orioles' 40-man roster this past Monday in order to make room for Yohel Pozo. Huff has opted to stay in the organization and will head to Triple-A, where he is slashing .189/.265/.302 with three home runs and 11 RBI across 117 plate appearances this season. |
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Yaramil Hiraldo Yaramil Hiraldo Recalled to majors
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 2:02 PM
The Orioles recalled Hiraldo from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.
Analysis: The Orioles have an open spot on their pitching staff after sending Dean Kremer to Minnesota on Friday, so they'll bring up Hiraldo to add extra bullpen depth until a fifth starter is needed. Hiraldo gave up four earned runs in 1.2 innings across three appearances with the Orioles back in March before landing on the IL with a shoulder injury. He's given up just one run in 8.1 Triple-A innings since then. |
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Pete Alonso Pete Alonso Launches 23rd homer
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 9:34 AM
Alonso went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a second run scored in Friday's 6-4 win over the Phillies.
Analysis: He got Baltimore on the board by taking Andrew Painter deep in the first inning, Alonso's 23rd long ball of the year. The slugging first baseman has been making plenty of contact of late, but it surprisingly hasn't resulted in a lot of production -- over his last 10 games, Alonso has delivered a .302/.362/.535 slash line with a 17.0 percent strikeout rate, but that stretch has featured just two homers and three RBI. |
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Tyler Wells Tyler Wells Pockets fourth save
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 9:30 AM
Wells worked a perfect ninth inning Friday without striking out a batter to record his fourth save of the season in a 6-4 win over the Phillies.
Analysis: It was the veteran right-hander's first save since July 17 as the Orioles continue to go with a committee approach at closer. While Wells is the only one of the team's relievers with multiple saves since the All-Star break, four other pitchers have nabbed one each, including Andrew Kittredge and Rico Garcia. With Ryan Helsley (elbow) not expected back until late August and Felix Bautista (shoulder) still uncertain to pitch at all in 2026, Wells will remain one of the top high-leverage options for Baltimore. Over 14 appearances and 16.1 innings in July, he produced a 1.10 ERA, 0.61 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB. |
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Brandon Young Brandon Young Escapes with no-decision Friday
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 9:25 AM
Young didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-4 win over the Phillies, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.
Analysis: A J.T. Realmuto solo shot in the sixth inning chased Young from the game and cost him his 10th quality start of the season, but the right-hander was taken off the hook for his third loss when the Orioles' offense woke up in the seventh. Young hasn't been tagged with a loss since June 16, going 3-0 over his last seven starts with a 3.51 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 41:13 K:BB through 41 innings. He'll look to get back in the win column in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Angels. |
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