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Michael Forret Looks for Big-League Shot With New Organization
Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Michael Forret is looking to establish himself with his new club after he was traded over from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for relief pitcher Tyler Wells. Forret had an impressive season with the Rays organization before coming over to the Orioles. With two minor league teams, Forret combined to go 7-2 with a 3.29 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 102 strikeouts in 93 innings pitched. He has been assigned to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides but has yet to make a start for his new club. He slots in at No. 6 on the Baltimore top prospect list and has three 55-grade pitches in his fastball, slider, and changeup. The 22-year-old right-hander is looking like an interesting late-season stash with his new club. He could produce for fantasy managers who take a late chance on him. With three elite pitches and a high strikeout rate, he's looking like a good fantasy option.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Gunnar Henderson Unlikely to Sign With Baltimore Long-Term
ESPN's Buster Olney, who was appearing on Just Baseball, said that Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who is represented by super agent Scott Boras, "in all likelihood isn't going to sign there long-term." It comes after the Orioles traded away the former first overall pick, switch-hitting All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman, to the division-rival Boston Red Sox on Monday for a giant prospect haul. The 25-year-old Henderson has two years of team control remaining, but after that, Olney thinks he will bolt for the open market. The former second-rounder in 2019 broke out with 37 home runs, 92 RBI, and 21 stolen bases in his second full MLB season with Baltimore in 2024, and although he had a career-high 30 steals the following season, he hit just 17 home runs in 2025. Henderson has continued to decline in 2026, as he's currently slashing .218/.297/.393 with a career-low .690 OPS, 18 home runs, 47 RBI, 65 runs scored, and only eight steals in 114 games and 518 plate appearances. His batted-ball metrics do not point to a turnaround anytime soon.
Source: ESPN - Buster Olney
Source: ESPN - Buster Olney
Andrew Kittredge Deserving of Waiver Attention After Earning Fifth Save
Baltimore Orioles veteran right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge is becoming more attractive in deeper fantasy baseball leagues for managers desperate for saves. Kittredge locked down his fifth save of the season by throwing a clean inning with no hits allowed, no walks, and no strikeouts on Wednesday to close out a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Camden Yards. The 36-year-old has allowed three earned runs in 1 1/3 innings pitched so far in August, but he has two saves in his last four appearances and is now second on the team this year in saves. In 12 relief outings in July, Kittredge didn't give up a single run and had three walks, seven strikeouts, three saves, one blown save, and three holds in 11 innings pitched. He's 1-3 on the season with a 4.05 ERA (4.20 FIP) and 1.44 WHIP with 29 strikeouts and 10 walks in 33 1/3 total innings. Kittredge definitely is not a sexy reliever by any means, but with Ryan Helsley (elbow) still on the injured list, he could continue to get save opportunities alongside Yennier Cano and Rico Garcia, and he's rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Yennier Cano Emerging as Deep-League Play for Saves
Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Yennier Cano is emerging as a potential option for saves in deeper leagues after picking up his second save of the season in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the visiting Los Angeles Angels at Camden Yards. Both relievers Rico Garcia and Andrew Kittredge worked before Cano in this one, with the 32-year-old veteran closing things out with a hit allowed, no walks, and two strikeouts in his inning of work. Right-hander Ryan Helsley (elbow) remains on the injured list, and the O's traded away right-hander Tyler Wells, who was the only Baltimore pitcher to have more than one save chance since the All-Star break in mid-July. Cano has been sharp this year, going 2-2 with a 2.09 ERA (2.37 FIP), 0.93 WHIP, two saves, 34 strikeouts, and only eight walks in 38 2/3 innings out of the bullpen in his fifth big-league season. He's been even better since the start of July, allowing just one earned run with one walk, seven strikeouts, a win, one save, one blown save, and two holds. Fantasy managers speculating on saves in deep leagues should look Cano's way. He's rostered in just 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Enddy Azocar Becomes a Top Outfield Prospect for Orioles After Trade
The Baltimore Orioles acquired outfield prospect Enddy Azocar from the Boston Red Sox on Monday in a trade that sent All-Star switch-hitting catcher Adley Rutschman to the Red Sox, a source told The Baltimore Sun's Jacob Calvin Meyer. The O's also picked up right-handed pitching prospects Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, outfielder Harold Rivas, and catcher Carlos Narvaez. Per MLB Pipeline, the 19-year-old Azocar is already ranked as the Orioles' No. 8 prospect. The Venezuelan outfielder stands at 6-foot-2 and 168 pounds, and he'll come to the O's organization after hitting a strong .286/.341/.540 with an .880 OPS, 18 home runs, 63 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 76 runs scored in 85 games and 399 plate appearances with Single-A Salem and High-A Greenville. While Azocar's speed has been nice in the low levels of the minors in 2026, it's his impressive raw power and bat speed from the right side of the plate that should be his calling card whenever he's close to making his major-league debut, which probably won't be until 2028. Improving his plate discipline will be his primary focus as he looks to keep climbing in the minors in his new home.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
Orioles Pick Up Pitching Prospect Kyson Witherspoon in Trade With Red Sox
The Baltimore Orioles landed right-handed pitching prospect Kyson Witherspoon from the division-rival Boston Red Sox on Monday in the trade that sent All-Star switch-hitting catcher Adley Rutschman to Boston, a source told Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun. The O's also picked up right-handed pitcher Anthony Eyanson, outfielders Enddy Azocar and Harold Rivas, and catcher Carlos Narvaez. Witherspoon, the 15th overall pick by Boston in 2025 out of the University of Oklahoma, is already ranked by MLB Pipeline as Baltimore's No. 7 prospect. The 21-year-old has spent the 2026 campaign at High-A Greenville, where he's gone 3-5 with a 4.78 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 78:34 K:BB in 75 1/3 innings pitched across his 17 starts in what has been his first full year as a pro. He will most likely report to High-A Frederick, where he will become one of the team's top young pitching prospects. It's easy to dream on a pitcher like Witherspoon, who can induce swings and misses from his entire deep arsenal of five pitches -- fastball, cutter, slider, curveball, and changeup. Witherspoon also has the size (6-foot-2, 206 pounds) to turn into a high-end MLB starter in several years.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
Anthony Eyanson the Headlining Prospect for Orioles in Blockbuster Trade
The Baltimore Orioles received quite the prospect haul on Monday in a blockbuster trade that sent All-Star switch-hitting catcher Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for right-handers Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, outfielders Enddy Azocar and Harold Rivas, and catcher Carlos Narvaez, a source told Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun. Eyanson, a former third-rounder by Boston in 2025 out of LSU, is already listed by MLB Pipeline as the Orioles' No. 1 prospect. The 21-year-old has gone a perfect 4-0 with a 1.32 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 94:26 K:BB in 68 1/3 innings and 16 outings (15 starts) with High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland. Azocar and Witherspoon also become immediate top-10 prospects for Baltimore. Eyanson's quick climb in MLB's prospect rankings has come thanks to a jump in velocity this year. The 6-foot-2, 208-pounder knows how to spin his slider and fastball, and they have both played up thanks to the velocity jump with his fastball. Eyanson is expected to open up with Double-A Chesapeake in Baltimore's system, but it's unlikely we'll see him debut in the majors in 2026.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
Red Sox Acquiring All-Star Catcher Adley Rutschman From the Orioles
The Boston Red Sox are acquiring three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman (wrist) in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. It's unknown what the Red Sox are sending to the division-rival Orioles in return for the former first overall pick. Most likely, the O's will receive some young, controllable pitching from the BoSox. Rutschman is currently on the 10-day injured list, but the 28-year-old switch-hitter is making progress towards a return and will be Boston's primary backstop over both Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong when he returns. Rutschman has struggled to get going in 2026 in his fifth year in the majors, slashing just .251/.331/.433 with a .764 OPS, eight home runs, 47 RBI, and 30 runs scored in just 67 games and 284 plate appearances. Injuries have gotten in his way for sure, and the Red Sox are banking on the talented catcher bouncing back after he was an All-Star in back-to-back seasons in Baltimore in 2023 and 2024. In Baltimore, it's now clear that Samuel Basallo (shoulder) is the team's catcher of the future.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Mariners Land Taylor Ward in Trade With the Orioles
The Seattle Mariners are acquiring outfielder Taylor Ward from the Baltimore Orioles on Monday in exchange for right-handers Alex Hoppe, Harrison Kreiling, and Brock Moore, a source told Jake Rill of MLB.com. Ward will return to the American League West and give the Mariners some much-needed pop from the right side of the plate as they seek a return to the postseason in 2026. The 32-year-old veteran outfielder hit .246/.383/.346 with a .730 OPS, only seven home runs, 30 RBI, 64 runs scored, four stolen bases, and a league-high 87 walks in 111 games and a league-high 506 plate appearances in his lone season in Baltimore before being dealt. Ward is as patient as they come at the dish (perhaps too patient), and he's been a massive bust for fantasy managers this year after clubbing a career-high 36 home runs and driving in 103 runs in 157 games with the Los Angeles Angels in 2025. The M's are banking on positive regression in the slugging department for Ward in his return to the AL West. Ward's fantasy baseball value shouldn't change all that much with the move to Seattle and pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park.
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Red Sox Discussing Trade for Adley Rutschman
Even though catcher Adley Rutschman (wrist) is currently on the 10-day injured list with a wrist injury, the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles are discussing him in a trade, sources tell Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Feinsand writes that "there is a feeling that a deal could be completed at some point" at the deadline on Monday, Aug. 3. With the Red Sox now in the thick of the playoff hunt in the American League, they have become buyers at the deadline and are looking to upgrade their catching situation from Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong. The 28-year-old switch-hitting Rutschman has had an injury-plagued and disappointing 2026 season, but the former first overall pick in 2019 from Oregon State University would still be an upgrade over both Narvaez and Wong. Rutschman is currently hitting .251/.331/.433 with a .764 OPS, eight home runs, 47 RBI, and 30 runs scored in his 247 at-bats. If Rutschman is traded, Samuel Basallo (shoulder), who is also on the IL, would become Baltimore's clear catcher of the future. UPDATE: ESPN's Buster Olney reports the Red Sox and O's "have a deal arranged" for Rutschman.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
Source: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
Tyler Wells Emerging as a Worthy Deep-League Waiver-Wire Target
Across 54 innings (43 games) in 2026, Baltimore Orioles right-hander Tyler Wells has recorded a 2.67 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 53 strikeouts, 10 holds, and four saves. With Orioles closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) on the injured list due to elbow inflammation, Baltimore has utilized multiple relievers in the ninth inning. However, Wells earned the team's most recent save on Friday and may be establishing himself as Baltimore's preferred closer. Wells has notched a strong 19.0% K-BB rate this season. He's also been difficult to square up, as he's allowed just a 31.5% hard-hit rate and 1.00 HR/9. Even if Wells does not see every save chance for Baltimore the rest of the way, he profiles as a reliable source of quality ratios, and his ability to work multiple innings in high-leverage spots puts him in a position to steal wins. Particularly in deeper leagues, Wells looks like a worthy waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Helsley Resumes Throwing
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (right elbow) has resumed throwing while recovering from inflammation around his UCL. The 32-year-old has been sidelined since feeling discomfort while warming in the bullpen July 1. An MRI showed no ligament damage, but this is his second right-elbow IL stint of the season after he was also out from May 1 through June 16. Baltimore transferred Helsley to the 60-day injured list July 19, leaving him ineligible to return until late August. He has a 4.11 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 21 strikeouts, and eight saves in 15 1/3 innings over 17 appearances. Resuming throwing is a meaningful step, though no timetable has been announced for mound work or a rehab assignment. He remains a stash in leagues with IL space.
Source: Jake Rill
Source: Jake Rill
Adley Rutschman Could Begin Rehab Assignment Next Week
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (left wrist) is scheduled to resume hitting Saturday and could begin a minor-league rehab assignment sometime next week. Rutschman has been on the 10-day injured list since July 20, retroactive to July 19, with left wrist inflammation. The issue first surfaced on a swing during Baltimore's July 17 game in Houston, though he remained in the lineup the following day. Rutschman resumed throwing in the outfield July 25, making Saturday's hitting work the next important test for the wrist. The 28-year-old is batting .251 with 19 doubles, eight home runs, 47 RBI, and a .764 OPS in 67 games. Fantasy managers should continue holding him while waiting to see whether he is cleared for rehab games.
Source: Jake Rill
Source: Jake Rill
Tyler Wells the Closer to Roster in Baltimore
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Tyler Wells appears to be the closer to roster in fantasy baseball leagues with Ryan Helsley (elbow) still on the injured list, and Wells is only rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues. The 31-year-old veteran and former starting pitcher is 2-2 on the year with a 2.72 ERA (3.43 FIP), 0.98 WHIP, three saves, 53 strikeouts, and only 13 walks in 53 relief innings for the O's. Veteran right-hander Andrew Kittredge has Baltimore's most recent save (on Wednesday), but he also has two losses within the last week and has not been as sharp as Wells. Wells' last save came on July 17 against the Houston Astros, but all three of his saves this year have come in July, a month in which he has allowed just two earned runs with four walks, 13 strikeouts, and a win in 13 appearances out of the bullpen. He's never been a dominant pitcher in terms of strikeouts, but his control is solid, and he does have a 25.5% strikeout rate in 2026, which is his highest mark since his rookie campaign in 2021. Fantasy managers searching for saves should consider Wells.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Yankees Checking in on Adley Rutschman
The New York Yankees are among many teams to check in on three-time All-Star/switch-hitting catcher Adley Rutschman (wrist), according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers, who is a pending free agent, seemed like a logical fit for the Yankees, but the Twins are suggesting they are buyers with the Aug. 3 trade deadline quickly approaching. Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson is another name on the Yankees' list as they seek a catching upgrade this summer. Rutschman is drawing interest despite an injury-plagued and disappointing 2026 campaign to this point. The former first overall pick out of Oregon State in 2019 is currently on the 10-day injured list with wrist inflammation and has yet to resume baseball activities, so he's not necessarily close to a return. Fellow catcher Samuel Basallo (shoulder) is also currently on the IL. It remains unclear if the O's are sold on Basallo as their long-term catcher, which would make Rutschman expendable.
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
