Orioles claim Eades off waivers from Twins (O's down 6-5)

The Orioles have been searching for pitchers to improve their depth in the rotation and bullpen, and they made a minor move this afternoon by claiming right-hander Ryan Eades off waivers from the Twins, according to multiple sources.

Eades, 27, made his major league debut earlier this summer and appeared in two games. He blanked the Tigers on two hits over two innings on June 8 at Comerica Park and the Mariners on two hits over 1 2/3 on June 12 at Target Field. He's walked two batters and struck out five.

The Twins selected Eades in the second round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of LSU. He's appeared in 29 games this season with Triple-A Rochester, including two starts, and gone 4-3 with a 5.51 ERA and 1.480 WHIP.

In seven minor league seasons, Eades is 36-28 with a 4.19 ERA and 1.343 WHIP in 177 games spanning 595 innings. He's made 81 starts.

Eades is averaging 2.8 walks and 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings with Rochester.

The LSU rotation included Eades, former Orioles first-round pick Kevin Gausman and Phillies first-rounder Aaron Nola.

The Rockies drafted Eades in the 19th round in 2010 out of Northshore High School in Louisiana, but he chose to fulfill his commitment to LSU

Eades was selected as the Cape Code League's Pitcher of the Year in the summer of 2011. He received a $1.29 million signing bonus from the Twins.

In one of the 2019 season's oddities, Eades became the first player in major league history to wear No. 80 while debuting against the Tigers.

The Orioles need to create a spot for Eades on their 40-man roster.

Update: The Orioles designated Jimmy Yacabonis for assignment and optioned Eades to Triple-A Norfolk.

Yacabonis, a 13th round pick in 2013 out of St. Joseph's University, had a 6.80 ERA and 1.829 WHIP this season in 29 games (four starts). He's 3-4 with a 5.75 ERA and 1.623 WHIP in 55 major league games.

The Orioles can try to trade Yacabonis or get him through waivers.

Update II: Mike Ford's two-run single off Richard Bleier upped the lead to 6-2 in the sixth. Both runs were charged to Dylan Bundy.

Update III: A two-run double for Renato Núñez and RBI double for Jonathan Villar in the seventh reduced the lead to 6-5.