Catcher Maverick Handley has hopped off the Orioles shuttle between the majors and minors.

He’s bounced completely out of the organization.

The Braves claimed Handley on waivers earlier today and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett – three days after the Orioles optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk and two days after he was designated for assignment.

Adding Handley enables the Braves to address a thin position with Drake Baldwin on the injured list with an oblique strain and Sean Murphy sidelined by a broken middle finger that’s expected to keep him out for at least two more months. Murphy already was unavailable earlier this season while rehabbing from hip surgery.

Former Oriole Chadwick Tromp and veteran Sandy León are the current catching tandem in Atlanta, which could present Handley with an opportunity.

Handley was a sixth-round draft pick in 2019 out of Stanford University who made his major league debut in 2025 and went 3-for-41. He was one of a franchise-record seven catchers used and didn’t play for the Orioles after June 22 due to a concussion suffered in a home plate collision at Yankee Stadium and a sprained right wrist.

The Orioles kept Handley around on the taxi squad this year and he got into one game, with manager Craig Albernaz calling on him to pinch-hit in the ninth inning Saturday at Nationals Park. Handley struck out, and it felt more like a courtesy and a farewell with the Orioles needing to make roster space Monday for infielder Jackson Holliday.

Handley later was designated for assignment to fit reliever Albert Suárez on the 40-man roster.  

Also today, the Orioles announced that reliever Jose Espada cleared outright waivers and was assigned to Norfolk.

Espada was designated on Monday when the Orioles claimed outfielder Michael Siani on waivers from the Dodgers and optioned him. Espada was optioned on May 12 when the Orioles recalled Tyler Wells.

Espada has tossed four scoreless innings with the Orioles in two appearances over two seasons.

*Pitcher Keagan Gillies was removed from last night’s Double-A Chesapeake game with right shoulder discomfort. Single-A Delmarva outfielder Braylon Whitaker was removed from his game last night with right shoulder discomfort after colliding with the outfield wall.

Norfolk reinstated Gillies from the injured list yesterday and assigned him to Chesapeake. He sustained a quadriceps injury in spring training.

*Former Oriole Jack Flaherty is starting for the Tigers Friday night at Camden Yards. Chris Bassitt starts for the Orioles, who begin a 10-game homestand – weather permitting, of course.