BALTIMORE -- The Orioles’ transaction log was an eventful place on Thursday, as there was quite a bit of movement having to do with the club’s 40-man roster -- which still came out of the day with a full 40 players on it.
Here’s an explainer for what Baltimore did on the first day of MLB free agency.
INF/OF Jorge Mateo's 2026 team option declined
The O’s declined Mateo’s $5.5 million option, potentially ending the 30-year-old utilityman’s tenure with the club after five seasons. Mateo is a free agent after posting a .224/.269/.368 slash line with 28 home runs and 100 stolen bases over 408 games for Baltimore.
Though Mateo has plus speed -- he swiped 67 bases across the ‘22 and ‘23 seasons -- he often struggled to hit. He also couldn’t stay healthy in recent years, playing only 111 games over the past two seasons.
OFs Dylan Carlson, Daniel Johnson cleared outright waivers, elected free agency in lieu of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk
Carlson signed a one-year MLB deal with the Orioles last offseason. The 27-year-old hit .203 with nine doubles, one triple, six home runs, 20 RBIs and a .614 OPS in 83 games for the O’s.
Baltimore may lose Carlson, but the club has added another switch-hitting outfielder to the mix, having agreed to a one-year deal with Leody Taveras that is worth $2 million, per a source.
Johnson was designated for assignment on Wednesday. The 30-year-old left-handed hitter batted .208 with one double and a .519 OPS in 17 games for the Orioles in 2025.
RHP Anthony Nunez's contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk
This was a necessary move to protect Nunez from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 10. The 24-year-old right-hander was acquired in the trade that sent center fielder Cedric Mullins to the Mets on July 31.
Nunez recorded a 3.45 ERA in 16 relief appearances for Triple-A Norfolk (his first experience at the level) and could become a contributor to the Orioles’ big league bullpen in 2026.
More prospects could be added to Baltimore’s 40-man roster before the deadline to protect eligible players from the Rule 5 Draft on Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. ET.
RHPs Félix Bautista, Grayson Rodriguez and Brandon Young activated from 60-day injured list
These were procedural moves, as players on the 60-man IL must be re-added to a club’s 40-man roster by the fifth day after the World Series. Bautista will miss most (if not all) of the 2026 season after undergoing right shoulder surgery, but Rodriguez (right elbow/lat) and Young (left hamstring) should be participants in Spring Training.
RHP Carson Ragsdale and LHP Josh Walker designated for assignment; LHP José Castillo claimed off waivers by Mets; RHP Shawn Dubin cleared outright waivers, assigned to Triple-A Norfolk, elected free agency
The Orioles often churn through fringe pitchers at the bottom of the 40-man roster, which was the case here. It was unlikely Castillo or Dubin would have had spots in Baltimore’s bullpen coming out of Spring Training, while Ragsdale and Walker will serve as depth if either remains in the organization after getting DFA’d.
OF Pedro León claimed off waivers from Astros
Taveras wasn’t the only new outfielder added to the O’s 40-man roster on Thursday. León was claimed off waivers after getting DFA’d a day earlier.
León, 27, has only seven games of MLB experience, all of which came in 2024, when he went 2-for-20 (.100) with two stolen bases and 10 strikeouts for Houston. He’s a former top prospect who signed out of Cuba for $4 million in January 2021.
In 2025, León was limited to 22 games for Triple-A Sugar Land due to a left knee injury, hitting .241 with three homers, 10 RBIs and a .734 OPS. He has shown power in the past, swatting 45 home runs over 246 Triple-A games across the ‘23 and ‘24 seasons.
León will likely serve as a depth outfielder for the Orioles in Spring Training.