Orioles claim Forrest Wall on waivers and sign Nick Anderson to minor league deal

The Orioles made a move today aimed at their outfield depth, claiming Forrest Wall on waivers from the Marlins and optioning him to Triple-A Norfolk.

The 40-man roster was full, necessitating a corresponding move that led the Orioles to designate reliever Dillon Tate for assignment.

Wall, 28, is a left-handed hitter who appeared in 13 games with the Braves this season and three with the Marlins, going a combined 8-for-32. He debuted in the majors with Atlanta last summer and was 6-for-13 with two doubles and a home run, and he had one plate appearance in the National League Division Series.

Wall is a career .272/.354/.401 hitter in 10 minor league seasons. The Rockies made him the 35^th-overall pick in the 2014 draft, and he was traded to the Blue Jays four years later in a deal that also involved reliever Bryan Baker.

Heston Kjerstad remains on the concussion injured list and Wall, who has two minor options remaining, gives Norfolk a left-handed hitter.

Tate broke camp with the Orioles this season and had three stints with the club, the most recent lasting one day. Part of the Zack Britton trade with the Yankees in 2018, Tate had a 4.59 ERA in 29 games with the Orioles this season but a 2.16 ERA in 16 with Norfolk.

What’s next for the Orioles bullpen?

It isn’t likely to stay the same beyond perhaps the weekend.

Nick Anderson, 34, passed his medical review and signed a minor league contract, with the news breaking late last night and multiple sources confirming. He’s headed to Norfolk, where he’s expected to pitch within the next few days.

Tate’s exit has created an opening.

This could be a significant addition for the Orioles, who have liked Anderson since he was a Rays reliever from 2019-21. They had interest last month before he signed with the Dodgers.

Anderson has pieced together a nice career, and especially for a 32^nd-round draft pick out of Mayville State University in North Dakota who spent three seasons in the independent Frontier League. He’s appeared in 165 games and recorded a 3.18 ERA and 1.093 WHIP with 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings. Anderson didn’t pitch in the majors in 2022 after undergoing internal brace surgery on his right elbow.

The Rays released Anderson in November 2022 after he appeared in 17 games with Triple-A Durham.

A right shoulder strain forced Anderson onto the 60-day injured list with the Braves in 2023 after he registered a 3.06 ERA in 35 games. The Royals acquired him in a trade in November 2023, he had a 4.04 ERA this season in 37 outings, and the club designated him for assignment on July 13 after acquiring reliever Hunter Harvey from the Nationals.

The Dodgers signed Anderson to a minor league deal but he opted out to find a better opportunity to pitch in the majors. Enter the Orioles, who kept tabs on him and remained impressed by his mid-to-upper 90s velocity and the metrics that they seek in pitchers.

They already were familiar with Anderson from his days in the division. He’s faced them eight times in his career and allowed three earned runs in seven innings.

Everyone got to know Anderson during the 2020 playoffs. He pitched twice in the wild card and Division Series rounds and three times in the Championship Series and World Series.

Many people remember Anderson for replacing Blake Snell in Game 6 against the Dodgers, with Rays manager Kevin Cash making the controversial decision to yank the left-hander after 5 1/3 scoreless innings, only two hits allowed and nine strikeouts. Anderson was on fumes and a 1-0 lead turned into a 2-1 deficit. The Rays lost 3-1 and were eliminated.

Anderson’s postseason experience also includes four appearances in 2019, when he allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings with no walks and eight strikeouts.

Major league rosters expand by one pitcher and one position player on Sunday and starter Zach Eflin is expected to be reinstated from the injured list. He doesn’t require a rehab assignment and could be the extra pitcher. Anderson, meanwhile, could land on the playoff roster if the Orioles make it and he’s earned a spot.

* As part of Fan Appreciation Weekend, the Orioles have added a Gunnar Henderson T-shirt giveaway on Saturday, Sept. 21 for the first 20,000 fans 15 and over.

The first 20,000 fans 15 and over will receive an Orioles crewneck sweatshirt on Sunday.

Fans will be selected throughout the weekend to participate in pregame ceremonies that include delivering the game ball and throwing out a ceremonial first pitch. Berks Live Hot Dog Races will be held during each game, and there also will be various opportunities for fans to receive prizes and giveaways.