Orioles acquire Torrens from Cubs (updated)

The Orioles made a roster move before tonight’s game in Kansas City, and it didn’t involve calling up one of their minor league players.

Catcher Luis Torrens was acquired from the Cubs in exchange for cash considerations, the team announced. He didn't report to the Orioles today, and manager Brandon Hyde may provide more information to the assembled media.

Torrens, who turned 27 yesterday, was batting .250/.318/.300 (5-for-20) with one double and three RBIs in 13 games. He signed with the Cubs as a minor league free agent in January.

The Orioles are Torren’s fifth organization. The Reds selected him from the Yankees in the 2016 Rule 5 draft and traded him that day to the Padres for a player to be named later who became infielder/outfielder Josh VanMeter. San Diego traded him to the Mariners in August 2020 in a seven-player deal.

Torrens has appeared in 264 major league games and batted .227/.289/.352 with 19 home runs and 78 RBIs in 799 plate appearances. He played in 108 games with Seattle in 2021 and finished with 16 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs and 47 RBIs.

Definitely the high mark of his career.

Second baseman Adam Frazier was one of Torrens' teammates with the Mariners last summer.

Torrens has thrown out 22 percent of runners attempting to steal in the majors and 39 percent in the minors. He’s also made starts at first base and second base as a professional.

The Cubs designated Torrens for assignment last week while reinstating Cody Bellinger from the paternity list.

Torrens is out of minor league options, and the Orioles already are carrying Adley Rutschman and James McCann. The Triple-A Norfolk roster includes Anthony Bemboom, Mark Kolozsvary and Maverick Handley. Kolozsvary is on the taxi squad in Kansas City.

To make room for Torrens on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have designated reliever Joey Krehbiel for assignment.

Krehbiel was on last year’s Opening Day roster and appeared in 56 games, posting a 3.90 ERA and 1.231 WHIP in 57 2/3 innings. He slumped in the second half, registering a 6.20 ERA and 1.581 WHIP in 24 games, and was optioned in late September.

Krehbiel didn’t break camp with the Orioles this spring and had allowed two runs and five hits with seven walks and six strikeouts in nine innings with Norfolk.

The Orioles can attempt to pass Krehbiel through waivers or find a trade partner. He can refuse an outright assignment.

Meanwhile, the Orioles are starting Grayson Rodriguez Thursday afternoon to close out the series in Kansas City. They’ve moved Dean Kremer to Friday night in Atlanta, followed by Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells.

Former Orioles right-hander Jordan Lyles starts for the Royals.

Update: Handley is going on the injured list with a hand contusion, and the Orioles likely will eliminate the taxi squad catcher for the rest of the road trip.

They will carry three catchers on their roster when Torrens reports.