According to Darren Wolfson of SKOR North (X link), reliever Nick Anderson has chosen to join the Orioles after opting out of a minor league contract with the Dodgers. It’s unclear if the right-hander will sign a minor league contract to report to Triple-A Norfolk or if he will make an immediate entry into Baltimore’s MLB roster.
Anderson was in the Dodger system for around five weeks. After being released by the Royals during the All-Star Break, he joined with Los Angeles. He was based at the Dodgers’ facilities in Arizona for the first few weeks of his contract. It wasn’t until August 10 that Los Angeles assigned him to Triple-A Oklahoma City. There, Anderson had three appearances as a pitcher and gave up three earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. While allowing three walks, he struck out five.
Anderson played in Kansas City as a middle relief pitcher before that brief stay with the Dodgers. With 35 2/3 innings pitched, the 34-year-old recorded a 4.04 ERA. Less impressive peripherals were hidden by that passable run prevention mark. Nearly 10% of opponents were walks while Anderson’s strikeout percentage dropped to a career-low 19%. Almost 1.5 long balls were given up by him every nine innings, totaling six home runs. After a successful season with Atlanta, Anderson is just one season away. He struck out 25% of his opponents last season while giving the Braves 35 1/3 innings of 3.04 ERA ball. Although a shoulder strain in July ended that strong performance, Anderson’s velocity returned in 2024.
Although the O’s are doing well overall, their bullpen has been inconsistent for more than two months. Since the All-Star Break, the Baltimore relief corps has an earned run average of 4.85. Craig Kimbrel has developed a serious rut. Seranthony DomÃnguez and Gregory Soto, the deadline signings, have struggled with home runs, while setup man Jacob Webb has missed the previous three weeks with inflammation in his elbow. In the middle relief group for Baltimore are Matt Bowman and Burch Smith, both of whom signed minor league contracts in the midst of the season.
