Baltimore Orioles Bring Back Minor League Pitcher

The Baltimore Orioles' lack of pitching depth played a significant role in another dismal year that saw them miss the playoffs and finish fourth in the AL East just above the last-place Toronto Blue Jays.

With that, the Orioles are bringing back one of their minor league arms in Jayvien Sandridge, signing him to a new deal for the upcoming 2027 season, according to MASN.

The 27-year-old left-hander began 2026 with the New York Yankees where he remained until January. He was then designated for assignment before being shipped off to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations.

Sandridge had to find a new home once again by the end of spring training as the Angels struck another deal, this time with Baltimore who also acquired him for cash. 

He would spend the season in the Orioles' system, clearing waivers in mid-April with no other club willing to take a flyer on him. However, his season was limited to just six appearances for Triple-A Norfolk due to an injury. Sandridge's last outing for this season would be on May 1.

Still, the organization's decision to keep him around is a sign that they believe Sandridge has something to offer. From the 2022-2025 seasons, he compiled a 3.93 ERA in the minors through 201 1/3 innings pitched, striking out 33.8% of the batters he faced while walking a concerning 17%. 

Sandridge has only pitched once in the majors so far and that was when he was still in a Yankees uniform. Unfortunately it didn't go the way he hoped when he surrendered two earned runs and only recorded two outs in two thirds of an inning.

For now, fellow relievers Rico Garcia, Grant Wolfram and Josh Walker should continue to receive a lot of the workload. Walker was one of Baltimore's most dominant arms out of the bullpen, posting an impressive 2.08 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 29 strikeouts in 30.1 innings of work.

Garcia had a solid season of his own, recording a 3.09 ERA, 10 saves and 68 punchouts during his healthiest year yet in which he appeared in 75 games. Meanwhile, Wolfram was decent as well until he ran out of gas near the end of the season, finishing with a 4.30 ERA and 61 strikeouts.

Sandridge might not get much playing time as an Oriole next season but he should come in handy down the stretch when the injuries pile on.