Orioles select Tucker Davidson – MLB trade rumors

The Orioles announced they have settled on the left-hander's contract Tucker Davidson from Triple-A Norfolk. Correct Bryan Baker was selected as an option for the team's Spring Training complex as part of the corresponding move.

Davidson has a 5.98 ERA over 125 career MLB innings with the Braves, Angels and Royals from 2020-23 and came to Baltimore via a waiver claim from Kansas City's roster last October. Davidson spent the entire season at Triple-A, posting a 3.89 ERA, a 20.7% strikeout rate and a 9.1% walk rate in 115 2/3 innings.

Davidson played primarily as a relief player in the first half of the year and started his final 11 Triple-A games with Norfolk. That saw him return to the rotation role he held for most of his three big league seasons before being used almost entirely out of the bullpen with LA and KC in 2023. It seems possible that the Orioles could move Davidson in the regular tomorrow Start the season finale against the Twins or at least take a lot of innings to save the arms of other pitchers for the playoffs. Baltimore is seeded atop the AL wild card, so the Orioles' final two games will be all about staying healthy before their first postseason game on Tuesday.

Baker's option means he cannot be added to the Wild Card Series or Division Series roster if the O's advance. With a 5.01 ERA in 23 1/3 relief innings this season, it didn't seem like Baker would be part of a playoff squad anyway, even if his ERA was skewed by a very low 57% strand rate.