BALTIMORE — A day after one of the shortest starts of his 13-year MLB career, Kyle Gibson’s reunion with the Orioles took a disappointing turn.
Gibson was designated for assignment by Baltimore as part of a slew of roster moves before Sunday’s series finale vs. the Nationals at Camden Yards. Outfielder Tyler O’Neill went on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder impingement, while outfielder Dylan Carlson and right-hander Kade Strowd were recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.
The Orioles’ 40-man roster has 38 players following the removal of Gibson, who will need to be traded or placed on waivers within seven days.
It’s possible Gibson could remain in Baltimore’s organization, as a team would have to take on his salary if claiming the 37-year-old right-hander. He signed a $5.25 million deal with the O’s on March 21.
As the Orioles’ pitching injuries piled up late in the spring, the team turned to a familiar face in Gibson for depth. He was a rotation leader for the club in 2023, when he posted a 4.73 ERA in 192 innings over 33 starts to help Baltimore go 101-61 and win the American League East championship.
After missing Spring Training and building up via three Minor League starts, Gibson struggled upon joining the O’s rotation on April 29. He recorded a 16.78 ERA over four outings, none of which lasted more than four innings and each featuring three or more runs allowed.
“You look around the league last year at some of the big-name starting pitchers that signed late, kind of how it went for those guys. It’s unfortunate how it worked out,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “If Gibby decides to stay, man, that would be a boost to the organization without a doubt.”
On Saturday, Gibson allowed six earned runs on six hits and one walk with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning during the Orioles’ 10-6 loss to the Nationals. The only shorter start of his career came on April 1, 2021, when he yielded five runs in one-third of an inning during an Opening Day start for the Rangers in Kansas City.
“I think, physically, I feel good. Stuff-wise frustratingly feels good. Bullpens feel good. Everything’s been pretty normal,” Gibson said after Saturday’s start. “I think these first two or three weeks have been frustrating to say the least. Hard to find words really to go into it and to kind of voice it appropriately, honestly. Four times taking the mound feeling like you haven’t given the team a chance to win each time is a pretty big gut punch.”
Baltimore’s rotation is down to four healthy starters: righties Zach Eflin, Dean Kremer and Tomoyuki Sugano and lefty Cade Povich. Kremer will start Monday’s opener in Milwaukee and Sugano will pitch Wednesday’s finale, but the O’s have not announced a starter for Tuesday.
The leading candidate for that assignment is likely right-hander Chayce McDermott (the Orioles’ No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline), who made his second MLB start this past Wednesday as the 27th man for a doubleheader against the Twins.
Meanwhile, Baltimore’s lineup will again be without O’Neill, who went back on the 10-day IL nine days after being activated with a new injury.
O’Neill began to experience soreness in his left shoulder while swinging last week, which led to him being scratched from the O’s lineup for Friday’s opener vs. the Nationals. The 29-year-old was held out of action on Saturday before the decision was made to put him on the IL, a move that was retroactive to Friday.
Last month, O’Neill dealt with neck inflammation, an ailment that sidelined him from April 24-May 9. He went 1-for-15 in six games after returning, with his lone hit coming during his return to the lineup on May 9 in Anaheim (a sixth-inning single).
O’Neill, who signed a three-year, $49.5 million deal with the O’s in December, has slumped for much of his first season in Baltimore. In 24 games, he is hitting .188 (15-for-80) with three doubles, one triple, two homers, 10 RBIs and a .605 OPS.
O’Neill has now gone on the IL 16 times during his eight-year MLB career. He had never missed time due to neck or left shoulder ailments before this season, though he had a right shoulder impingement while with the Cardinals in 2022.
With O’Neill out, Ramón Laureano and Heston Kjerstad will get most of the starts in the corner outfield. First baseman/designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn could also get some time in right, while Carlson is available to fill in anywhere in the outfield.
Strowd joined the Orioles’ bullpen for the second time this season. The 27-year-old, who has a 7.47 ERA in 13 appearances in Triple-A this year, has yet to make his MLB debut.
