O’s designate reliever Kyle Nicolas for assignment

It’s somehow the first-ever trade between the Orioles and Nationals despite their close proximity. Nicolas represents a worthwhile dice roll for Washington’s underwhelming relief mix. The 27-year-old has been traded three times since spring training and has struggled to an 8.59 ERA and 7/13 K/BB ratio across 7 1/3 innings this season.

Nicolas, a former Pirate, had been in the Reds organization only since early March. 17 walks in 15 2/3 innings at Triple-A Louisville says there’s still a lot to work on in the minor leagues. The 27-year-old will try to get back on track with the Tides.

Nicolas saw time with the Reds in April but gave up seven earned runs and 13 walks in 7 1/3 innings. He had since pitched for Triple-A Louisville, amassing a 5.17 ERA and a 20/17 K/BB in 15 2/3 innings. The arm is there for him to be helpful in a major league pen, but control has always been an issue and he’s faring worse than ever there at age 27.

Nicolas heads back from the minors after allowing seven runs on eight hits with a 7/13 K/BB ratio across 7 1/3 innings over seven appearances. The 27-year-old righty, who came over from the Pirates in a trade back in early March, will attempt to iron out his control issues back at Triple-A.

Nicolas was acquired from the Pirates about a week ago and had a 10.80 ERA in two appearances with the Bats. He managed a 4.74 ERA in 31 appearances in the bigs last year and will replace Jose Franco as one of Cincinnati’s low-leverage relievers for the time being.

Nicolas was acquired at the start of March for Tyler Calihan, and the 27-year-old will somewhat surprisingly not open the year as a part of the Cincinnat bullpen. It’s likely he’ll be one of the first arms up when the Reds need reinforcement.

Nicolas fortifies Cincinnati’s middle relief depth in exchange for Callihan, a utility specialist coming off a major injury without a spot on the club’s big-league roster heading into the regular season. The hard-throwing 27-year-old righty is consistently in the upper-90’s with his fastball and has struck out 22 percent of the batters he’s faced in the big leagues since 2023. He posted a pedestrian 4.74 ERA — 4.14 xERA — 1.37 WHIP and 34/18 K/BB ratio across 38 innings over 31 appearances for the Pirates last year.

Nicolas will rejoin the bullpen. He has a 5.14 ERA in 28 innings for the Pirates.

The 26-year-old hurler is expected to miss the team’s entire weekend series against the Red Sox in Boston. Evan Sisk was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move to take his place in the Pirates’ bullpen.

Nicolas was summoned prior to Friday’s series opener against the Rockies. He’ll occupy a bullpen role for the final two months of the season.