Jose

Espada

Espada went unclaimed after being designated for assignment. The 29-year-old will need to be added to the 40-man roster if the Orioles deem him worthy of adding back to the roster.

The Orioles needed a spot on the 40-man roster for recently claimed Michael Siani, so Espada was let go. He was also optioned back to Triple-A early last week, so he should clear waivers and could re-sign with the Orioles on a minor league contract.

Espada has pitched one scoreless inning in two brief stints with the Orioles this season.

Espada, 29, has allowed two hits over one scoreless frame in his only appearance with the Orioles this season. He’ll add a fresh arm to the club’s middle relief corps for Sunday’s series finale against the Athletics.

Espada did not appear in a game in his brief stint with the Orioles and returns to work on his 5.40 ERA in eight appearances in Norfolk.

With Ryan Helsley on the Bereavement List, the Orioles needed another bullpen arm, so they’ll give Espada a shot.

Espada is a reliever who is currently on the 40-man roster, so he should begin the year in Triple-A. De León is one of the team’s top starting pitching prospects and a top 100 prospect in baseball, according to FanGraphs. He reached Double-A last year and posted a 3.30 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 107/41 K/BB ratio in 87 1/3 innings across three levels. He should start the season at Double-A again with a chance for an early promotion to Triple-A if he pitches well.

Espada pitched three scoreless innings in his one appearance after being called up Friday.

Espada, 28, is up with Chayce McDermott placed on the family medical emergency list. The right-hander will have a chance to pitch in the bigs for the first time since 2023 when he gets into a game.

The Orioles didn’t want Espada leaving the organization but also didn’t want to give him a bullpen spot, so here we are. The 28-year-old Espada, who made his major league debut with the Padres in 2023 before spending 2024 in Japan, has a 3.74 ERA and a 66/21 K/BB in 43 1/3 innings in the minors this season.