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Orioles Extend Qualifying Offer to Trevor Rogers
The Baltimore Orioles announced on Monday that they extended a one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer to left-hander Trevor Rogers. It would be a surprise if Rogers accepted the one-year offer by the Nov. 17 deadline, as only 18 of the 157 players to receive one have accepted it since the system was implemented by the league in 2012. This will be especially true this offseason in a market in which Rogers figures to be the second-best available left-handed starter on the market behind two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. The 28-year-old southpaw should be able to land a significant multi-year contract with the Orioles or another team after declining the qualifying offer. Rogers immediately struggled in Baltimore after being traded from the Miami Marlins in 2024, posting an ERA over 7.00 over four starts and being sent to the minors. Since then, he has a 3.16 ERA in 48 starts for the O's over the last two seasons. Rogers had a sharp 1.81 ERA in 109 2/3 innings in 18 starts in 2025. He was not quite as good in 2026, with a 4.03 ERA over 30 starts, but he had a 2.90 ERA in his final 20 starts. With Chris Bassitt and Zach Eflin also becoming free agents this offseason, it would not be a surprise for Baltimore to pursue a reunion with Rogers.
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Zach Eflin Has 2027 Mutual Option Declined by Orioles
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Zach Eflin (elbow) had his $25 million mutual option for the 2027 season declined, per the MLBPA. Eflin is now a free agent. Declining the pricey option was a no-brainer decision for Baltimore, as Eflin underwent Tommy John surgery in April and is likely to miss most or all of the 2027 season as a result. The 32-year-old made just one appearance in 2026 before suffering the season-ending elbow injury. Eflin also battled through an injury-marred 2025 campaign, recording a 6-5 record with a 5.93 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts across 71 1/3 innings (14 starts). The veteran right-hander could find a home with a team that wants to have him rehab in their facilities with an eye toward 2028. However, he's unlikely to factor for fantasy managers in 2027.
Source: MLB Players Association
Source: MLB Players Association
Luis Robert Jr. Expected to Have Option Declined by Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are expected to decline outfielder Luis Robert Jr.'s $20 million option for the 2027 season, sources told Francys Romero. The Orioles would pay a $2 million buyout to make Robert a free agent this winter at the age of 29. The always-enticing power/speed option was one of the New York Mets' big free-agent additions last offseason, but he did not pan out and quickly found himself on the injured list and stayed there for almost three months due to a lumbar spine disc herniation. In just 58 games played this year, the Cuban right-handed slugger hit a disappointing .223/.303/.399 with 11 home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs scored, two stolen bases, 24 walks, and 55 strikeouts in 61 plate appearances in total with the Mets and Orioles. Robert played in only three games with the O's to close out the year and will now find himself back on the open market. Baltimore picked him up after he was waived by the Mets in August. Robert is still young enough to have some upside, but MLB teams will not be willing to pay him too much given all the injuries he has endured that have essentially made him a bust.
Source: Francys Romero
Source: Francys Romero
Ryan Helsley Opts into his 2027 Player Option
Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Ryan Helsley (elbow) will opt into his $14 million player option for the 2027 season to stay in Baltimore for another year, a source told Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. Helsley had a strong start to his first year in Baltimore in 2026, but it was short-lived, and he ended up pitching only 15 1/3 innings out of the bullpen for the O's due to a right-elbow injury. The 32-year-old veteran and two-time All-Star was attempting to bounce back following a rough finish to the 2025 campaign after being traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the New York Mets. In 22 appearances in relief for the Mets to finish that season, Helsley had a 7.20 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, and zero saves in 20 innings pitched. He had a 4.11 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, eight saves, and a 21:9 K:BB in his limited showing for Baltimore this year. Helsley should be healthy for the start of next season, but it is fair to wonder if he will be the team's primary ninth-inning option or approach his form from the 2024 campaign, when he led the league with 49 saves in St. Louis.
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Orioles Hiring Jared Banner as General Manager
The Baltimore Orioles are hiring Chicago Cubs assistant general manager Jared Banner as their general manager, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. Banner will work alongside incumbent Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias in Baltimore. The 41-year-old Banner has 18 years of baseball operations experience, taking over his most recent role in Chicago in 2024. He got his start with the Boston Red Sox in 2008, where he spent the first 11 seasons of his career in baseball management. The Orioles have now missed the postseason in back-to-back years after consecutive playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024. While Elias has spoken publicly about his desire to add to his own front office, Banner's presence could signal that Elias' job is under scrutiny from ownership heading into 2027.
Source: ESPN - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN - Jeff Passan
Orioles Hire Jared Banner As New General Manager
The Baltimore Orioles have made a hire in their search for a new general manager, and according to the team, it is Jared Banner, the former assistant general manager with the Chicago Cubs. The Orioles say that Banner will "work alongside President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias, managing the baseball operations department on a day-to-day basis. Banner will lead the organization's player development, coaching, and performance efforts, while also partnering with Elias on strategy, staffing, and talent acquisition, among other duties." Banner recently completed his 18th season in baseball operations and has worked as assistant GM of the Cubs since 2024.
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Cade Povich has Elbow Surgery, Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
Baltimore Orioles left-hander Cade Povich (elbow) had surgery on Wednesday to remove loose bodies in his elbow after pitching through significant pain down the stretch this year, a source told Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. Povich is expected to be ready for spring training. The 26-year-old southpaw only made eight appearances (seven starts) for the O's in his third year in the major leagues, going 2-1 with a career-best 4.38 ERA (4.99 FIP) and 1.49 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and 15 walks in 37 innings pitched in the majors. Povich had an ERA over 5.00 in each of his first two big-league seasons in Baltimore. He took a jump forward with a career-high 24.2% strikeout rate in 112 1/3 innings pitched in 2025. As long as Povich is fully healthy in spring training next year, he should be in the competition for a starting-rotation spot to begin the regular season. Povich is intriguing for his diverse arsenal and swing-and-miss stuff, but he has yet to put it all together at the major-league level.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Kyle Bradish Set to Undergo Sports-Hernia Surgery on Tuesday
Baltimore Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said that starting pitcher Kyle Bradish (abdomen) will undergo sports-hernia surgery on Tuesday, per Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. Bradish made his last start of the 2026 season in mid-September before being placed on the injured list. After pitching just 71 1/3 innings across the 2024 and 2025 seasons combined due to arm injuries, Bradish managed to make it through 2026 fully healthy until the hernia issue. Across 155 innings (29 starts), the 30-year-old recorded a 7-15 record with a 4.12 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 142 strikeouts. Bradish's production faded in the second half, as he posted a 16.7% strikeout rate and a 5.29 ERA across 47 2/3 innings after the All-Star break. If his struggles down the stretch were a symptom of the hernia, Bradish could be in line for a more complete season in 2027.
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Caden Hunter Looks Like Future Fantasy Ace
Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Caden Hunter turned in a dominant 2026 minor-league season between three levels. Finishing up at Double-A Chesapeake in his age-22 season, Hunter combined to pitch to a 5-3 record with a 2.01 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 151 strikeouts in 103 innings pitched. In his first professional season out of USC, Hunter dominated to hold opposing hitters to a .171 batting average. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound left-hander is the No. 4 overall prospect of the Orioles and boasts a 60-grade fastball and a 55-grade slider and changeup combination with a 45-grade curveball. Hunter looks like a future fantasy star with the size and skills to be a dominant force on the mound with the Orioles in the future. Look for more of Hunter in the minors in 2027, with the potential to make his MLB debut as soon as next season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Ike Irish Returns from Injury, Will Head to Arizona Fall League
Baltimore Orioles outfield prospect Ike Irish (knee) was enjoying his first full season of professional baseball earlier this year while playing for High-A Fredericksburg. The former first-round draft pick had really heated up before a torn left meniscus ended his season in late July. The Orioles' fifth-ranked prospect batted .361 with nine doubles, a triple, seven home runs, and nine steals over his final 26 games before the injury. The hot stretch pushed his season-long slash line to .286/.388/.528 with 16 home runs and 20 steals in just 76 games for the Keys. The left-handed hitter recently returned to the diamond and will head to the Arizona Fall League to make up for lost time. As such, he should be fully healthy come spring and looks ready to spend much of the 2027 season at Double-A. He likely won't make his major league debut until 2028, but the 22-year-old has shown good contact, plenty of power, and an ability to steal bases despite not having a ton of speed, so his dynasty arrow is pointing way up for the potential to impact multiple fantasy categories.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Coby Mayo Remains a Worthy Power Streamer to Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 444 plate appearances in 2026, Baltimore Orioles third baseman/first baseman Coby Mayo is hitting .225/.293/.463 with 24 home runs, 63 RBI, 63 runs scored, and four stolen bases. Swing-and-miss is the obvious red flag in Mayo's profile, as he's struck out in 30.2% of his plate appearances. However, the 24-year-old brings significant power upside with a 13.7% barrel rate and a 47.6% hard-hit rate. Mayo has hit .265 with 12 home runs since the All-Star break, and he's established himself as an everyday presence in the heart of the Baltimore lineup. For fantasy managers in need of power, Mayo profiles as a priority target on the waiver wire heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jackson Holliday Needs Wrist Surgery
Baltimore Orioles middle infielder Jackson Holliday (wrist) said he will need surgery to fix his left wrist, either later this week or next week, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. The good news is that Holliday is not dealing with a complete tear. "Hopefully just go in there and clean it up, and that'll be that," Holliday said. He has been told to expect about a 10-week recovery, so it should not impact his timeline for next season. The 22-year-old was diagnosed with a triangular fibrocartilage complex tear in his wrist. His 2026 season got off to a bad start when he needed surgery to remove a broken hamate bone in his right hand, causing him to get a late start to the campaign. The former first overall pick in 2022 was unable to fully recover, playing in just 98 games for the O's while hitting a disappointing .229/.300/.340 with a .640 OPS, seven home runs, 30 RBI, 45 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 354 plate appearances. Holliday has yet to reach the potential that made him the first overall pick, but with a fully healthy season in 2027, he could be a deep-league sleeper at middle infield.
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Samuel Basallo Finishes Season on Injured List
The Baltimore Orioles announced on Wednesday that they placed catcher Samuel Basallo (concussion) on the seven-day concussion injured list (retroactive to Sept. 22) and recalled outfielder Heston Kjerstad from Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move. Basallo took a foul tip off his catcher's mask in Monday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays and was pulled from the game to undergo concussion testing. The 22-year-old Dominican backstop will finish his first full season in the majors with a .222/.291/.406 slash line with a .696 OPS, 18 home runs, 54 RBI, and 40 runs scored across 112 games and 399 plate appearances. Most of the damage that Basallo did came in the first half, as he also dealt with a shoulder injury in the second half and hit just .140 (12-for-86) with a .456 OPS in 29 games since the All-Star break. The Orioles showed their trust in Basallo at this year's trade deadline by sending former first overall pick Adley Rutschman to the division-rival Boston Red Sox. If healthy in 2027, Basallo has the skills to be one of the better power-hitting catchers in the big leagues.
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Rico Garcia a Priority Saves Target on the Waiver Wire
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Rico Garcia has been one of his team's most reliable bullpen arms in 2026, recording a 3.14 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 68 strikeouts, and 10 saves across 66 innings (74 games). The 32-year-old has mostly functioned as a high-leverage arm in a setup role for the Orioles. However, Garcia has emerged as the team's preferred option in the ninth inning of late, recording four saves in his last six appearances. Garcia has also been extremely effective in the second half of the season, allowing just three earned runs across his last 19 appearances (16 1/3 innings). For fantasy managers in need of saves in the final week of the 2026 season, Garcia profiles as a must-roster pitcher.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jackson Holliday Unlikely to Play in Final Week of Regular Season
Baltimore Orioles middle infielder Jackson Holliday (wrist) is unlikely to play for the Orioles again this season, manager Craig Albernaz told Jake Rill of MLB.com. Holliday is getting more looks and options from doctors about what is going on with his injured left wrist, and the team is expecting to have more information later this week. The 22-year-old former first overall pick in 2022 got his 2026 season off on the wrong foot when he suffered a broken hamate bone in his hand, and he really has not been the same since this year. In his third year in the big leagues, Holliday will end up playing in only 98 games (354 plate appearances) while batting a disappointing .229/.300/.340 with a .640 OPS, seven home runs, 30 RBI, 45 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. There could still be a post-hype breakout coming for Holliday, but he will most likely be avoided in standard-sized fantasy baseball leagues next season until he can get back on track offensively.
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
