The Orioles announced they’ve claimed a reliever Jake Reed off waivers from the Dodgers. In a corresponding move, Baltimore placed an infielder Jonathan Araúz on the restricted list. The O’s also announced that righty Phoenix Sanderswhom they’d designated for assignment over the weekend, has gone unclaimed on waivers and been sent outright to Triple-A Norfolk.
Reed has been a frequent name on the waiver wire over the past two seasons. A minor league signee of the Dodgers, the right-hander first reached the big leagues in July 2021. He’s subsequently gone from LA to the Rays, the Mets and then back to the Dodgers on waivers. His second stint with the Dodgers lasted less than two months, as he was claimed in mid-July but designated for assignment last Friday when the club reinstated Blake Treinen from the injured list. The O’s became the latest team to take a shot at Reed, who’d also spent time in the Twins and Angels organizations before getting to the majors.
Despite drawing frequent interest from clubs, the University of Oregon product doesn’t have a ton of big league experience. He’s logged 21 innings over 20 appearances, posting a 5.57 ERA with a below-average 19.7% strikeout percentage. The low-slot righty has a better track record in the upper minors, pitching to a 3.84 ERA with a 25.6% strikeout rate through parts of six seasons in Triple-A. The O’s can bounce him between Baltimore and Norfolk for both this season and next if he holds a spot on their 40-man roster, as he’s in his second of three minor league option years.
While Reed can factor into the Orioles surprising postseason push this month, he wouldn’t be available to the club in the playoffs if they can run down a Wild Card spot. Players acquired after August 31 are ineligible for a team’s playoff roster. Now that he’s changed organizations in September, Reed won’t be allowed to participate in the 2022 postseason.
Araúz was claimed off waivers from the Red Sox in June. He’s spent most of his Orioles tenure on optional assignment to Norfolk but hasn’t appeared in a game since last Friday. The club has not provided a reason for his absence, but Araúz will not count against the 40-man roster (nor will he be paid) for any time he spends on the restricted list.
Sanders was also a waiver claim from an AL East rival, joining the O’s from the Rays a few weeks ago. The 27-year-old didn’t suit up at the big league level with Baltimore, but he’ll stick in the organization. Sanders has never been outrighted before in his career, and he does not have the requisite three years of MLB service time to elect free agency. Sanders made his first eight MLB appearances with the Rays earlier in the season, allowing five runs with a 12:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio through 14 2/3 innings.
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