Nick

Raquet

The O’s needed to free up a spot on their active roster for Trey Gipson’s promotion on Sunday and unfortunately for Raquet he was the odd man out this time around. The 30-year-old southpaw posted a 10.13 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and a 1/2 K/BB ratio across 2 2/3 innings in his three appearances with the O’s.

Raquet has spent the past couple weeks in the minors after being acquired from the Cardinals in a small trade back in early April. The 30-year-old lefty has made four relief appearances in the big leagues since 2024. He’ll operate in middle relief situations for the Orioles.

The 30-year-old has thrown twice since being recalled and allowed three runs on three hits in 1 2/3 innings. He did throw 2/3 shutout innings on Tuesday, so it was nice for him to get that better second appearance.

Raquet was designated for assignment on Sunday, but the Orioles swung a deal to add him to their 40-man roster. With Albert Suarez being added to the MLB bullpen and Brandon Young getting a shot in the rotation, the Orioles could use a bit more pitching depth. There’s a chance that Raquet could be called up to fill a long relief role, which would allow the Orioles to send Cade Povich back to Triple-A, where he can remain stretched out as a starting pitcher.

It’ll be a relatively minor trade since Raquet was designated for assignment by the Cardinals over the weekend. The 30-year-old lefty made two relief appearances in the majors last season. He’ll function as organizational depth for the Orioles.

The Cardinals needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for the promotion of Jared Shuster on Sunday and unfortunately for Raquet he was the odd man out this time around. There’s a decent chance he’ll slide through waivers unclaimed and continue to function as extra bullpen depth for the Cardinals.

Baez made a major statement this spring, slashing .333/.417/.762 with three homers, five RBI and a 6/2 K/BB ratio in 24 plate appearances, leading fantasy managers to clamor for his inclusion on Cardinals’ Opening Day roster. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. He should debut at some point during the 2026 campaign, but that makes him a difficult stash in mixed leagues to begin the season.

The 29-year-old left-hander more than held his own in his first taste of big league action, hurling two scoreless innings while allowing just one walk and striking out one. He should get another opportunity with the Cardinals’ before the regular season comes to a close.

He takes the spot of Andre Granillo, who was sent down after Sunday’s game. Raquet, a 2017 third-round pick of the Nationals, will be making his major league debut three months shy of his 30th birthday. He had a 1.68 ERA and a 57/9 K/BB in 48 1/3 innings of relief work between Double- and Triple-A.

That will clear a spot on the active roster for the return of Alec Burleson from the injured list. The team will also select the contract of Nick Raquet from Triple-A Memphis, taking the roster spot of Andre Granillo who was optioned out following Sunday’s game. Hampson has hit just .143/.250/.169 in 91 plate appearances between the Cardinals, Diamondbacks and Reds this season.