Orioles sign Straily, DFA Jackson, trade for Araujo

The Orioles have brought in a veteran starting pitcher that could end their use of an opener and ease the burden on their bullpen.

Right-hander Dan Straily, 30, has signed a major league deal with the Orioles, who created room on the 25-man roster by designating Rule 5 pick Drew Jackson for assignment.

The Orioles can attempt to trade Jackson or offer him back to the Dodgers if he clears waivers. The Phillies selected Jackson in the Rule 5 draft and dealt him to the Orioles for international signing bonus slots.

The Marlins released Straily on March 25 after designating him for assignment. And after the sides agreed to a $5 million contract to avoid arbitration.

Straily has gone 42-36 with a 4.23 ERA and 1.276 WHIP in 142 games (136 starts) and is joining his sixth team since breaking into the majors with the Athletics in 2012. The former 24th-round pick of the Athletics has averaged 3.5 walks and 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

In 23 starts last season, Straily went 5-6 with a 4.12 ERA and 1.300 WHIP in 122 1/3 innings.

Straily placed fourth in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2013. His finest season came in 2016 with the Reds, when he was 14-8 with a 3.76 ERA and 1.186 WHIP in 34 games (31 starts), though his 31 home runs allowed were tied for first in the National League.

Manager Brandon Hyde is expected to slot Straily into the rotation with Andrew Cashner, Alex Cobb, Dylan Bundy and David Hess, with Nate Karns going back to the bullpen rather than working the first two innings of games.

Orioles relievers have worked 31 1/3 innings, tying them for second in the majors behind the Athletics (38 1/3).

The contract guarantees Straily $575,000, according to MLB Network Radio's Craig Mish, and includes a $250,000 trade bonus. Straily also received 45 days' pay from the Marlins upon his release.

"We pursued Dan Straily immediately once he became available," executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said in a statement. "He's the type of accomplished major league starter who will help stabilize our pitching staff. We are hoping to work him into our rotation soon."

Jackson was a standout in spring training with his versatility and .316/.355/.386 slash line with a double, home run and nine RBIs in 27 games. He was 0-for-3 with a walk and strikeout in three games since the Orioles broke camp.

"It was tough taking Drew off the roster," Elias said in a statement. "His versatility has always been attractive and he has shown tremendous effort and had a great attitude since showing up. He has a bright career ahead of him.

"We simply decided we wanted 13 pitchers for the foreseeable future and had to make a tough call. It is never easy to carry Rule 5 picks all year."

The Orioles also designated reliever Pedro Araujo for assignment this week while he retained his Rule 5 status. He cleared waivers and was returned to the Cubs, but the Orioles immediately swung a trade to get him back by relinquishing international signing bonus slots.

Araujo was assigned to Double-A Bowie. He's no longer on the 40-man roster.

Today's moves leave the Orioles with a three-man bench - usually a catcher, infielder Hanser Alberto and whichever outfielder isn't in the lineup between Cedric Mullins and Joey Rickard. Renato Núñez comes off the bench if he isn't the designated hitter.

Straily will wear No. 53.