The Orioles announced this morning that they’ve designated left-hander Cole Irvin and infielder Nick Maton for assignment. The moves open up active roster spots for outfielder Heston Kjerstad and right-hander Jacob Webb, both of whom were activated from the injured list in corresponding moves. The club’s 40-man roster now stands at 38.
Irvin, 30, is in his second season with the Orioles. The lefty was acquired from the A’s prior to the 2023 season to help provide stability at the back of Baltimore’s rotation, and while he’s struggled to keep a consistent hold on a spot in the rotation (or even on the roster) during his time with the club he has offered the Orioles a versatile depth option capable of pitching out of the rotation or bullpen as needed. In his two seasons with the club, Irvin has posted a combined 4.68 ERA with a 4.56 FIP in 184 2/3 innings of work while appearing in 49 games, 28 of which were starts. He struggled in his latest stint with the Orioles, surrendering three runs on four hits (two homers) while striking out five in four innings of work spread across two outings.
Maton, 27, has spent most of the 2024 season at Triple-A for Norfolk and while he’s hit quite well at that level with a .273/.429/.455 slash line in 86 games, his track record with the big league club has been far less impressive. Maton has made it into just five games with the Orioles as a pinch hitter this year, and has gone hitless with two strikeouts in those five at-bats. Prior to joining the Orioles, Maton excelled in a bench role for the Phillies with a .253/.330/.434 slash line in 216 plate appearances before being traded to Detroit and struggling in a larger role with the Tigers, for whom he hit just .173/.288/.305 in 93 games.
Meanwhile, Kjerstad returns to the active roster to re-enter the club’s outfield mix. The 25-year-old suffered a concussion when he was struck on the head by a pitch from right-hander Clay Holmes on July 12 and previous attempted to return just over a week later. Kjerstad hit just .111/.238/.111 in his 21 trips to the plate after returning, however, and ultimately went back on the IL on August 1 due to the issue. Overall, Kjerstad sports a strong .261/.370/.420 slash line in 81 trips to the plate at the big league level this year and should provide the club with another quality outfield option behind Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander, and Colton Cowser over the season’s final weeks. It’s even possible that Kjerstad could make an appearance at first base, where he has 46 games of experience in the minor leagues, given deep slump since the start of August and Ryan Mountcastle’s wrist sprain.
As for Webb, the right-hander has emerged as a key piece of Baltimore’s bullpen since being claimed off waivers from the Angels last August. In 71 2/3 innings of work with the club since then, Webb has posted an excellent 3.14 ERA with 3.35 FIP and struck out 25.4% of opponents. The righty was sidelined by a bout of elbow inflammation in early August but now figures to return to the club’s late inning mix alongside Seranthony Dominguez and Yennier Cano headed into the postseason.
For Love of the Game
Good thing the Baltimore claimed Webb off waivers from the Orioles!
King Floch
BUT WHO WAS PHONE?!
Bill M
ET!
King Floch
Dang it, now I want some Reese’s Pieces.
Stupid effective product placements.
just_thinkin
It’s a start!
Now we just need *checks IL*…
Mountcastle
Urias
Westburg
Rodriguez
Coulombe
McDermott
Mateo
Wells
Means
Bautista
Bradish
cooperhill
No doubt about it. Has any team EVER had as many injuries? I can’t think of any!
stymeedone
You’re not trying very hard. Just two years ago the Tigers had to go deep in their farm because they had 8 starting pitchers on the IL.
King Floch
Not to get into a d*** measuring contest, but did the Tigers also have an entire IF on the IL?
hiflew
Several years back, the Rockies had 12 starting pitchers on the IL (DL at the time) at the same time. I remember thinking at the time that if I went to the game wearing a jersey, there was a chance I might start the next day.
King Floch
It would be pretty friggin’ sweet if the conspiracy theory about Bautista being activated for the playoffs turned out to be true.
skinsfandfw
If he’s ready and 100%, let him roll. As long as they don’t rush him back. I don’t get the sense that is something Elias would do.
King Floch
I think it’s extremely unlikely, but that video from like a month ago of him at OPACY in full uniform throwing at or near full effort was pretty interesting.
King Floch
Very excited to get Webb back for the late inning mix and Kjerstad could be the spark the lineup needs to start purring again.
Now here’s hoping Westburg, Coulombe, and G-Rod make it back in time for the playoffs!
BaseballBrian
And Kimbrel continues to waste a roster spot.
AHH-Rox
Enough talent and track record that it is worth hoping he returns to form. Not like they have anybody at AAA who would be much better. Unless Bautista can come back.
But leaving Kimbrel off the playoff roster where you need fewer pitchers could be a wise move. Especially if Soto gets it together.
joeflaccosunibrow
Kimbrel is done. He’s on a 1 year contract. Cut bait now.
jbigz12
Burch Smith should go first.
BaseballBrian
It’s mid-September, he isn’t coming back to form.
Niekro floater
Kimbrel’s fastball is straighter than a ruler. He’s been on E last cpl yrs, drove Dodgers fans crazy w/his implosion appearance after appearance. Can’t be trusted.
longines64
Maton on the same DFA train as Anthony Gose.