Orioles lose Irvin to Twins on waiver claim

A second attempt by the Orioles to pass Cole Irvin through waivers has failed.

The Twins claimed Irvin this afternoon after the Orioles designated him for assignment yesterday. He went unclaimed at the trade deadline when the club made a flurry of late moves.

Irvin was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Aug. 4 and had his contract selected on the 21st while Dillon Tate was optioned. Tate was designated later and claimed by the Blue Jays on Sept. 1.

Roster space was needed yesterday with reliever Jacob Webb reinstated from the 15-day injured list and outfielder Heston Kjerstad from the concussion injured list. Irvin and infielder Nick Maton were the counter moves.

Maton’s situation remains unresolved.  

Irvin could have refused an assignment if he cleared waivers, but the Twins put in the claim.

The Orioles acquired Irvin and minor league pitcher Kyle Virbitsky from the Athletics in January 2023 for shortstop prospect Darell Hernaiz. He appeared in 49 games with the Orioles, including 28 starts, and posted a 4.68 ERA and 1.354 WHIP in 184 2/3 innings.

They didn't put him on the playoff roster for the Division Series.

The left-hander appeared in 25 games this season, including 16 starts, and went 6-5 with a 4.86 ERA and 1.407 WHIP in 107 1/3 innings. He also notched his second career save.

Usage this month was scarce. Irvin pitched only twice and surrendered back-to-back home runs to the Red Sox’s Rob Refsnyder and Tyler O’Neill in his final appearance on the 9^th.

The Twins are fighting for a playoff spot and Irvin isn’t eligible. Players must be in the organization by Aug. 31. However, the Orioles could face him in the final series of the season on Sept. 27-29 at Target Field.