One of the Orioles’ biggest challenges over the offseason is putting together a bullpen. While they have several accomplished starters, they traded away four key bullpen pieces — Bryan Baker, Seranthony Domínguez, Andrew Kittredge and Gregory Soto in July.
They also lost their closer, Félix Bautista, who had rotator cuff and labrum surgery and could miss the 2026 season.
The Orioles will be active on the free-agent market. They’ll probably claim players off the waiver wire, and after an absence of two years, could select a player in the Rule 5 draft.
That route paid off handsomely in 2020 when they selected Tyler Wells, who’s started and pitched in relief.
Let’s assume Wells and Grayson Rodriguez, who had surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow, are going to be in the starting rotation and Bautista won’t be available until the final weeks of the season, if then
The Orioles will have eight spots in the bullpen, and few veterans have solidified a place. Let’s look at the relievers who pitched for the team and remain its property.
Keegan Akin
Assuming the Orioles offer arbitration to Akin, which seems likely, the 30-year-old left-hander will return for one more season before he’s eligible for free agency.
Akin has relieved in 203 games since he joined the Orioles in 2020, with a 3.82 ERA. He’s saved only 11 games, eight last season, and it’s clear he’s better off as a setup reliever and not a closer.
While he’s not spectacular, he’s a useful pitcher to have around.
Yennier Cano
Cano was a huge story in 2023 when he basically came out of nowhere to make the American League All-Star team. Last season, he had a 5.12 ERA and seven blown saves in nine attempts.
Among the scary stats: Cano had a 6.03 ERA at home and a 5.68 ERA in the second half.
One of the reasons Akin got so many save opportunities was that Cano couldn’t be trusted.
It’s likely the Orioles will move on from him.
Kade Strowd
It was a surprise when the Orioles added Strowd to the 40-man roster last fall, and he was a nice addition who got plenty of opportunities after the trade deadline.
Strowd had 25 appearances. He compiled a 1.71 ERA and impressed with his velocity and the movement of his pitches. Although he walked 13 in 26 2/3 innings, he gave up only one home run.
A 12th-round draft pick in 2019, Strowd should go into spring training with a spot set for him.
Dietrich Enns
The Orioles acquired him at the trade deadline, and according to the Detroit Free Press, Enns has a $3 million option for 2026.
That seems unusual because the 34-year-old was still a major league rookie in 2025. Even more unusual, the Tigers signed him to a minor league contract after four years of pitching in Japan and South Korea.
He put up good numbers for the Orioles, with a 3.14 ERA and two saves, as many as Cano, in 17 games.
Enns showed his value by throwing at least two innings in nine of his outings.
A year ago, it was a shocker when the Orioles declined a $4 million option on a most accomplished left-handed reliever, Danny Coulombe. It would seem equally surprising if the Orioles picked up that $3 million option.
Of course, the Orioles could decline that option, making Enns a free agent and attempt to negotiate a less expensive contract.
Rico Garcia
On August 19th, Garcia relieved Strowd, who’d loaded the bases with none out in the eighth inning, and struck out Jarren Duran, Trevor Story and Masataka Yoshida.
The Orioles would win the game in 11 innings on Samuel Basallo’s dribbler that allowed Jeremiah Jackson to score.
Garcia, who pitched in six games for the Orioles in 2022, had a 2.84 ERA, allowing 21 hits and striking out 20 in 19 innings.
He was one of the more reliable relievers, and assuming he’s still on the 40-man roster over the winter, could get a shot at an Opening Day roster spot in 2026.
Yaramil Hiraldo
Hiraldo was a total unknown last spring. He hadn’t pitched in organized ball since 2021, and that was in High-A with Arizona.
After stints in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Venezuela and independent ball in the U.S., Hiraldo pitched in 18 major league games with a 4.58 ERA.
In six September games, Hiraldo had a 1.69 ERA with nine strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.
Depending on how many relievers the Orioles sign, trade for, claim or draft, it’s possible that Hiraldo remains on the 40-man roster and gets a shot in spring training.
Colin Selby
The Orioles are high on Selby, and just when he was going to get an opportunity to pitch, he suffered a hamstring injury in late July that limited him to two outings in the final days of the season.
Selby had a 3.21 ERA in 11 games with 14 strikeouts and just two walks in 14 innings.
He figures to remain on the 40-man roster and get an opportunity to break camp with the team.
Grant Wolfram
Wolfram was acquired in a deal from Milwaukee last April in return for outfielder Daz Cameron. He had a 5.40 ERA in 21 games.
Shawn Dubin
Dubin had a 3.38 ERA in seven games before ending the season on the injured list with right elbow discomfort.
Chayce McDermott
The Orioles had high hopes for McDermott, whom they converted from a starter to a reliever while he was at Triple-A Norfolk. He ended the season on the injured list with a back injury. McDermott allowed eight runs on four hits with four walks in an inning in two September relief appearances.
José Castillo
The left-hander finished the season with the Orioles after he was claimed off waivers from Seattle. He had a 2.45 ERA in five appearances.
Jose Espada
The right-hander allowed one hit in three scoreless innings in his only appearance with the Orioles
Carson Ragsdale
The 6-foot-8 right-hander gave up eight runs on 10 hits in five innings in two appearances.
Notes: Infielder Emmanuel Rivera and catcher David Bañuelos have filed for free agency. Former Orioles pitcher Bruce Zimmermann also has filed for free agency.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.