Ort joins Orioles in latest roster move

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles won’t sit still.

They made another roster move early this evening, acquiring right-hander Kaleb Ort from the Phillies in another cash considerations deal.

Ort, who turned 32 earlier this month, made 21 appearances with the Red Sox last year and posted a 6.26 ERA and 1.565 WHIP in 23 innings. He allowed 16 earned runs (19 total) and 27 hits with 24 strikeouts.

The Mariners selected Ort off waivers in October, the Marlins claimed him in December and the Phillies claimed him six days ago.

Now he’s an Oriole and the latest bullpen candidate after making 47 relief appearances over the past three seasons – all with the Red Sox - and his only two major league starts in 2023.

The Orioles certainly know Ort. He’s faced them seven times and registered a 12.86 ERA and 2.286 WHIP in only seven innings.

In three games against the Orioles last season, Ort surrendered six earned runs (seven total) and nine hits in 3 1/3 innings. However, his only career save came against them on Sept. 29, 2022.

Ort owns a 6.27 ERA and 1.703 WHIP in the majors, making his first Opening Day roster in 2023, and a 2.98 ERA and 1.299 WHIP in six minor league seasons, averaging 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

Ort threw the two fastest pitches of the season by a Boston hurler with 99.4 mph fastballs on April 11 at Tampa Bay and June 30 at Toronto, and he ranked in the 80^th percentile of pitchers in average fastball velocity at 95.8 mph, per Statcast.

The ERA splits last year were uneven, to say the least: 4.76 in 13 home games and 10.50 in eight road games.

The Red Sox placed Ort on the 15-day injured list on July 7 with right elbow inflammation and moved him to the 60-day IL on July 26, costing him the remainder of the season.

The Orioles designated outfielder Peyton Burdick for assignment to make room for Ort on the 40-man roster. Burdick reported today to the Ed Smith Stadium complex and the media didn’t get a chance to interview him.

The Marlins traded Burdick to the Orioles on Feb. 14 for cash considerations. Two days later, the Orioles claimed infielder Diego Castillo off waivers and designated infielder Livan Soto for assignment. The Angels claimed Soto off waivers yesterday, the Orioles designated Castillo for assignment, and they acquired left-hander Matt Krook from the Yankees for cash considerations.

Castillo remains in limbo, and Burdick has joined him.