MIAMI — The Orioles selected right-handed pitcher Chayce McDermott’s contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, adding their second-ranked pitching prospect to their roster ahead of his MLB debut against the Miami Marlins.
Baltimore optioned reliever Bryan Baker to Triple-A and designated right-hander Jonathan Heasley for assignment in corresponding moves. McDermott will wear No. 60.
Manager Brandon Hyde announced Tuesday night that McDermott, 25, would start Wednesday against the Marlins, pushing starters Corbin Burnes and Grayson Rodriguez back a day to give them extra rest. Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 6 overall prospect in the Orioles’ farm system, McDermott has a 3.96 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 20 games (19 starts) with Norfolk this season.
Baker returns to the minors after posting a 4.32 ERA in 13 appearances during his first stint back with the Orioles since 2023. Heasley, acquired in a cash deal with the Kansas City Royals last offseason, now faces an uncertain future. He allowed 10 earned runs in 5 1/3 innings with the Orioles but put up a 2.64 ERA in Norfolk.
With these moves, the Orioles’ 40-man roster remains full. Second baseman Connor Norby was en route to Miami as of Wednesday afternoon, according to Hyde, in case the team needed to place infielder Jorge Mateo on the injured list after he suffered an elbow injury during the club’s series-opening 6-3 loss. In the meantime, the Orioles plan to add Norby to their taxi squad.
