Cowser and Krehbiel joining Orioles' expanded roster

The Orioles won’t allow their roster to stop evolving. They are adding players for Friday’s expansion and figure to keep shuffling through the month of September.

The first two moves are decided, with outfielder Colton Cowser and reliever Joey Krehbiel joining the club in Arizona, according to a source. The club hasn’t made an announcement.

These are initial reinforcements who don’t close business.

Cowser made his major league debut on July 5 in New York and appeared in 26 games before the Orioles optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk. He went 7-for-61 with two doubles, four RBIs, 13 walks and 22 strikeouts.

Over 69 games with the Tides, Cowser batted .314/.440/.524 with 15 doubles, a triple, 12 home runs and 45 RBIs in 315 plate appearances.

MLP Pipeline ranks Cowser as the organization’s No. 2 prospect behind shortstop Jackson Holliday, and No. 14 in baseball.

Cowser can play all three outfield positions, which increases his value to the Orioles.  

Krehbiel also is on the 40-man roster after rejoining the Orioles Aug. 1 and appearing in two games. He retired all five batters with two strikeouts and was optioned again on Aug. 11.

Other players at Norfolk are in the conversation for promotions, including shortstop Joey Ortiz and outfielder Heston Kjerstad. Ortiz has been recalled multiple times this season and can provide infield depth and plus skills, along with a bat that’s produced a .326/.383/.516 line in 85 games with the Tides.

Players who aren’t on the 40-man, such as Kjerstad, remain postseason eligible if replacing someone on the injured list. Closer Félix Bautista, for example, is on the 15-day IL.

The Orioles must create room for outfielder Aaron Hicks, who’s hoping to be reinstated from the IL by the series in Anaheim that begins on Monday. Pitcher John Means is on a rehab assignment and nearing his 2023 debut.

Tyler Wells is pitching in relief with Norfolk and poised to move into the Orioles’ bullpen.

Meanwhile, the Orioles put in multiple waiver claims today but didn’t get any players, according to a source. The Guardians were extremely busy for a team that acted as sellers at the deadline, acquiring pitchers Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Matt Moore from the Angels.

* Infielder/outfielder Terrin Vavra and first baseman TT Bowens are beginning injury rehab assignments today with Single-A Delmarva.

Vavra broke camp with the Orioles and batted .245/.315/.245 in 27 games. All 12 of his hits were singles.

The Orioles optioned Vavra on June 6 and reinstated reliever Danny Coulombe from the bereavement list, and he went on the seven-day IL less than two weeks later with a right shoulder strain.