This story was excerpted from Jake Rill’s Orioles Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
BALTIMORE — This offseason, the Orioles have added two players to their 40-man roster, which presently sits at 38. Only one of those acquisitions is a lock to make the team in Spring Training.
On the final day of the Winter Meetings on Dec. 6, Baltimore signed right-hander Craig Kimbrel to serve as its fill-in closer for 2024. Twelve days later, the O’s acquired righty Jonathan Heasley in a trade with the Royals, a move to add pitching depth to the system.
Although it’s been more than a month since the Orioles have added to their 40-man roster, it doesn’t mean that general manager Mike Elias hasn’t been attempting to do so.
“I’m sure he’s trying — I know he’s trying,” manager Brandon Hyde said at the opening ceremony for the Orioles Dominican Academy earlier this week. “I’m sure there will be some names popping in at some point, but I can’t give you any information today if there’s anything happening. But I know Mike is making all the effort to try to improve our roster.”
Baltimore remains in the market for a starting pitcher — ideally one who slots closer to the top of the team’s rotation than the bottom. Elias first stated his desire to bring in a solid starter at the GM Meetings in November, then reiterated it the following month at the Winter Meetings.
