Source: Domínguez traded to Blue Jays for Watts-Brown (updated)

The Orioles won the first game of today’s doubleheader and traded another high-leverage reliever. And he can make a short walk down the hallway at Camden Yards to join his new team.

Right-hander Seranthony Domínguez was dealt to the Blue Jays for pitching prospect Juaron Watts-Brown, according to an industry source. Toronto is in Baltimore for a four-game series.

Domínguez is the third reliever traded by the Orioles this month after Bryan Baker (Rays) and Gregory Soto (Mets).

MLB Pipeline ranked Watts-Brown, 23, as the Jays’ No. 10 prospect. They drafted him in the third round in 2023 out of Oklahoma State and he’s registered a 4.17 ERA and 1.328 WHIP in 40 starts. He’s struck out 246 batters and walked 98 over 192 innings.

Watts-Brown was in the Eastern League with Double-A New Hampshire, where he made 11 starts and posted a 3.48 ERA and 1.239 WHIP in 11 outings with 26 walks, 53 strikeouts and only four home runs surrendered over 51 2/3 innings. He also started eight games with High-A Vancouver and posted a 3.62 ERA and 1.179 WHIP with 12 walks, 62 strikeouts and two homers in 37 1/3 innings.

The slider is a 60-grade to go with his 50-grade fastball, curveball and changeup. The fastball sits in the low 90s.

Watts-Brown led the Big 12 Conference in strikeouts with 124 in 2023 after transferring from Long Beach State. The Jays gave him an above-slot bonus of $1 million.

The Orioles acquired Domínguez and outfielder Christian Pache from the Phillies at last summer's trade deadline for outfielder Austin Hays. He had a 3.24 ERA and 1.344 WHIP this season in 43 games and averaged 5.2 walks and 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings, but he became more effective after incorporating his splitter over the past two months.

Since May 26, Domínguez has posted a 1.14 ERA with a 35.1 percent strikeout rate and gained value to the club with Félix Bautista’s placement on the injured list with a sore right shoulder. But the Orioles are defined sellers and more moves are coming.

The bullpen figured to be a hot spot, which has played out, but subtractions are expected in the rotation, as well. First baseman Ryan O'Hearn and outfielders Cedric Mullins and Ramón Laureano also are generating interest.

Neither club has announced the trade.

Sportsnet was the first to report it.

Update: The Orioles announced the trade, which included cash going to the Blue Jays.

* Outfielder Heston Kjerstad is shut down with Triple-A Norfolk due to fatigue that he’s tried to play through.

The Orioles are giving him a chance to rest and will revisit the plan in a week or so.

Kjerstad hit .192 with a .566 OPS in 54 games with the Orioles and .149 with a .473 OPS in 27 games with the Tides.