Luis

Gonzalez

González passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment earlier this week and will head to free agency in search of a new opportunity. The 33-year-old lefty has yet to reach the majors in his career.

González, 33, was a surprise addition to the Orioles’ 40-man last winter after posting a 4.50 ERA with a 71/12 K/BB in 60 innings of relief work for Triple-A Norfolk last season. He didn’t get much of a chance to make the team this spring, and now he’s back off the 40-man after opening up with a 5.79 ERA in 4 2/3 innings at Norfolk this year.

Strowd and Gonzalez were both added to the 40-man roster to prevent them from being selected in the Rule 5 draft, but neither was likely to make Baltimore’s roster out of the Grapefruit League. Several of the players reassigned were signed as non-roster invites, and they simply add organizational depth at the higher levels.

González has been added to Baltimore’s 40-man roster, effectively shielding him from selection in next month’s Rule 5 Draft, after posting a respectable 4.50 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 71/12 K/BB ratio across 60 innings (44 appearances) for Triple-A Norfolk. The 32-year-old journeyman lefty could finally arrive in the big leagues next season.

At least Castillo doesn’t have to pack up and head to another organization this time after stints with five different teams during the offseason. Charles is probably the most notable inclusion in the latest batch of cuts as he seemed like a decent bet to stick in the Orioles’ bullpen.

The 32-year-old southpaw spent the 2023 campaign pitching for the Sultanes de Monterrey in the Mexican League where he registered a stellar 1.69 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and a 43/8 K/BB ratio across 37 1/3 innings. It’s a nice no-risk addition for the O’s and Gonzalez could turn out to be valuable bullpen depth from the left side.