The Orioles have claimed left-handed pitcher off unconditional release waivers, according to MLBTR’s Steve Adams.He had been designated for assignment by the Rangers last week.
While MLB.com’s transaction tracker initially listed him as released, Baltimore submitted a claim and picked him up. Since the Orioles had an open spot on their 40-man roster, no additional move was necessary.
He debuted in the majors with the Royals last year before being traded to the Rangers in July as part of the Michael Lorenzen deal. He pitched 18 innings between the two teams in 2023, posting a 3.00 ERA along with a 20.2% strikeout rate, 13.1% walk rate, and a 45.3% ground ball rate.
He’s also put up impressive numbers in the minors over the past two seasons, logging 134 innings with a 2.69 ERA, a 28.6% strikeout rate, a 10.2% walk rate, and inducing ground balls on more than half of balls in play.
So far in 2024, He hasn’t appeared in any official games. He was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on March 9 and later moved to the Rangers’ Arizona Complex League affiliate on March 28. MLBTR reports he is healthy and has been focusing on mechanical adjustments during extended spring training.
With an open roster spot, the Orioles saw an opportunity to bring Pennington into their organization, and he’s expected to report to Triple-A Norfolk soon.
While Baltimore already has several left-handed relievers — Keegan Akin, Gregory Soto, Cionel Pérez, and Grant Wolfram — in the majors, the team values adding depth, especially as Pérez and Wolfram have struggled this season.
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