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The Orioles will continue to tweak their outfield as they play out the remainder of the 2025 season.
The latest move came today, with the Orioles claiming Daniel Johnson on waivers from the Giants. He hasn’t reported to the club but could be on the roster for Tuesday night’s series opener against the Mariners at Camden Yards.
Johnson, 30, comes back to the organization. He had one at-bat with the Orioles last summer and appeared in 118 games with Triple-A Norfolk, slashing .259/.320/.448 with 20 doubles, a triple, 21 home runs and 76 RBIs. He can play all three spots in the outfield.
Johnson was 5-for-29 (.172) with two doubles and a home run in 14 games with the Giants this season after signing on May 2.
A corresponding move is needed to make room for Johnson.
Dylan Carlson, Jeremiah Jackson, Greg Allen, Ryan Noda and Jordyn Adams went a combined 1-for-28 over the weekend while playing the outfield. Carlson is hitless in his last 35 at-bats.
Colton Cowser is on the seven-day concussion injured list and Tyler O’Neill is on the 10-day IL with right wrist soreness. Cedric Mullins and Ramón Laureano were traded at the deadline, which has created a bit of a mess at the position.
Outfielder Dylan Beavers, the No. 3 prospect in the organization per MLB Pipeline, made his first appearance today in Baseball America’s Top 100 list. He’s never received the honor in any of the major outlets.
He’s 83rd today on his 24th birthday.
Beavers, the 33rd-overall pick in the 2022 draft, is batting .305 with 14 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 50 RBIs, 66 walks, 22 steals and a .948 OPS with Norfolk. His promotion is coming soon, but probably not before Friday, the earliest date that a team can bring up a prospect to ensure his rookie status for next season.
A player who finishes in the top two in voting for Rookie of the Year can net a competitive balance pick at the end of the first round of the following draft, but he must begin that season in the Top 100 in at least two of the three outlets – MLB Pipeline, Baseball America and ESPN.
Catcher Samuel Basallo, who’s already secure in his Top 100 status, is No. 7 in Baseball America’s rankings. Outfielder Nate George, 19, debuts at No. 81. Pitcher Esteban Mejia is 95th.
The Orioles made a few other moves today.
Reliever José Espada had his contract selected from Norfolk, and he was optioned, perhaps due to an opt-out clause that necessitated his placement on the 40-man roster. The Orioles signed him on July 26, four days after the Padres released him.
To make room for Espada, the Orioles designated reliever Houston Roth for assignment.
Roth had his contract selected on July 29 and spent six days with the Orioles, but he didn’t make his major league debut. He has a 2.25 ERA in 18 relief appearances with Norfolk.
