When the Orioles take the field for their first post-trade deadline game on Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field, there will be seven players with the team that weren’t with them for Wednesday’s game at Camden Yards.
Over the last three weeks, the Orioles traded nine major league players: relievers Bryan Baker, Gregory Soto, Seranthony Domínguez and Andrew Kittredge, starter Charlie Morton, infielder Rámon Urías, first baseman/designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn, and outfielders Ramón Laureano and Cedric Mullins.
Kittredge, Laureano, Morton, Mullins, O’Hearn and Urías were all traded late Wednesday night and Thursday.
In exchange, the Orioles received 15 minor leaguers and a Competitive Balance Round B pick, which turned out to be high school outfielder Slater de Brun for Baker.
The Orioles’ bullpen is nearly unrecognizable. Closer Félix Bautista is on the injured list with a right shoulder injury and likely out for an extended period.
Left-hander Keegan Akin and right-hander Yennier Cano are the only veterans in the bullpen. Right-handers Corbin Martin, Elvin Rodriguez, Houston Roth, Kade Strowd and left-hander Grant Wolfram will be joined by another reliever on Friday.
Candidates include the recently re-signed right-hander Vinny Nittoli, who pitched two games for the Orioles last season and is at Norfolk; veteran right-hander Matt Bowman, who’s had two stints with the Orioles this season; and right-hander Keagan Gillies, who’s at Norfolk and pitched in the Futures Game.
Right-hander Zach Eflin was placed on the injured list because of lower back discomfort and replaced by Brandon Young. The Orioles will need another starter to replace Morton. Trevor Rogers is likely to start on Friday against the Cubs. Dean Kremer and Tomoyuki Sugano remain in the rotation.
Cade Povich, who pitched Wednesday at Triple-A Norfolk in a rehab assignment, could rejoin the rotation soon. So could Roansy Contreras, who is scheduled to start for Norfolk on Friday. Contreras was one of the final cuts in spring training and is 6-2 with a 4.01 ERA with the Tides.
Another candidate is left-hander Dietrich Enns, who was acquired Thursday from Detroit in exchange for cash considerations. Enns was 1-1 with a 5.60 ERA in seven games, two starts, with the Tigers this season. In 18 games with Minnesota, Tampa Bay and Detroit, the 34-year-old is 3-1 with a 4.30 ERA and two saves.
The Orioles could add infielder/outfielder Terrin Vavra and outfielder Jordyn Adams, who both have major league experience. First baseman TT Bowens, Adams and Vavra had been moved from Norfolk to Bowie in case of a need.
Infielder Luis Vázquez could also return later this weekend.
Adams, Bowman, Contreras, Gillies, Nittoli and Vavra would have to be added to the 40-man roster. There’s ample room now.
First baseman Ryan Mountcastle, who’s been rehabbing his hamstring injury at Norfolk, needs a roster spot, too. He’s been on the 60-day injured list and could return within the next several days.
Fans will be eager to see catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo and outfielder Dylan Beavers, the two most accomplished prospects, and they could come some time in August. Infielder Jeremiah Jackson, who was added for Friday night’s game and quickly optioned to Norfolk, could be back, too.
The Orioles have already used 51 players this season. Rodriguez and Roth have yet to appear in a game, and it’s likely the team will use more than 60 players this season, including starters Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells, who are on rehab assignments.
Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias could also pick up players from the waiver wire, which could be active following the trade deadline.
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