The Orioles have declined the $11 million option for 2023 on their top starter from 2022, Jordan Lyles. He receives a $1 million option and becomes a free agent.
The Orioles had until Thursday to decide on the 32-year-old right-hander, whose 32 starts, 12 wins and 179 innings were the most on the team. Lyles went 12-11 with a 4.42 ERA, and was credited with mentoring a young pitching staff.
The team will “remain engaged with Jordan Lyles over the winter and wouldn’t rule out a return, but at the early juncture of the offseason and the price point, preferred to decline his option,” according to a source.
Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias is at the General Managers’ meetings in Las Vegas and is discussing possible trades with other teams and free-agent signings with agents.
Without Lyles and with starting pitcher John Means not expected to be ready for Opening Day after having Tommy John surgery in April, the team is left without an obvious No. 1.
Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer, Austin Voth, Tyler Wells and rookies DL Hall and Grayson Rodriguez are expected to challenge for starting spots along with Mike Baumann, Spenser Watkins, Bruce Zimmermann and other candidates the team might sign or trade for.
Claim Cameron: The Orioles claimed outfielder Daz Cameron off waivers from Detroit. Cameron hit .219 with a home run and eight RBIs in 21 games with the Tigers in 2022. In three seasons with Detroit, Cameron hit .201 with five home runs and 24 RBIs. The 25-year-old right-handed hitter was the 37th overall pick in the 2015 draft by Houston when Elias was running their drafts.
The Orioles have 34 players on their 40-man roster.