FORT MYERS, Fla. — When the Orioles signed veterans Julio Teheran and Kolten Wong to minor league contracts earlier this month, they instantly became two of the most accomplished players in their clubhouse.
But neither were able to crack Baltimore’s opening day roster, and as a result, they opted out of their deals — a luxury awarded to veteran players — instead of being reassigned to the minor leagues. The Orioles on Sunday granted Teheran’s and Wong’s release.
It was unlikely from the time he signed that Teheran would be a rotation option for the Orioles without an injury occurring. Teheran, a former All-Star with the Atlanta Braves with 12 years in the big leagues, pitched well in camp, posting a 3.38 ERA in 13 1/3 innings.
“He opted out. He just didn’t make the club from the rotation standpoint,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “He’s a free agent and is going to seek other employment.”
Hyde said Teheran was an option to be a long reliever out of Baltimore’s bullpen but that the club will go in a different direction for its final few bullpen spots.
“We considered him, gave him an opportunity,” Hyde said. “Just right now it’s not a right fit, but wish him the best.”
The Orioles have three days off in the first two weeks of the season, which lessens the importance of having a traditional long reliever in the bullpen. But Hyde said the decision to let Teheran go has less to do with the structure of the relief corps and more about having the best group possible.
“I think we’re just trying to take our best 13 pitchers at the moment and try to go win games early,” Hyde said. “Off days do help in a lot of ways, but we haven’t finalized the eight guys in our bullpen at this point.”
Wong, a two-time Gold Glove winner with the St. Louis Cardinals and an 11-year veteran, hit .200 with a .694 OPS in spring. He homered in his last game Saturday and helped infield prospect Jackson Holliday with his transition to second base.
The Orioles have a glut of left-handed hitters and infielders on their roster, and with reassigning Holliday to the minors, it was unlikely they would keep Wong.
Baltimore also optioned right-hander Bryan Baker and reassigned left-hander Andrew Suárez and catching prospect Maverick Handley to minor league camp. Baker and Suárez were competing for bullpen spots, but the former has a minor league option remaining and the latter didn’t opt out and accepted his assignment. The Orioles’ roster has 33 players — a number they must cut down to 26 by opening day Thursday.
Hyde said the club told Jordan Westburg a few days ago that he would unsurprisingly be making the Orioles’ opening day roster. The last two spots on the bench and bullpen are still up for grabs.
“We still have a lot of decisions to make,” Hyde said.