NEW YORK -- The Orioles have added a new veteran arm to their bullpen from outside the organization.
Baltimore signed right-hander Lou Trivino to a Major League deal on Monday, optioning rookie righty Trey Gibson to Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move to make room for Trivino on the 26-man roster. Right-hander Albert Suárez also cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to Norfolk.
Trivino recently opted out of his Minor League deal with the Phillies. The 34-year-old had a 2.77 ERA in 10 appearances for Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season.
A six-year MLB veteran, Trivino has spent time with the A’s (2018-22), Yankees (‘22), Giants (‘25), Dodgers (‘25) and Phillies (‘25). He has a 3.87 ERA over 332 career games (three starts). The veteran missed most of the ‘23 and ‘24 seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2023.
"It's a veteran presence in the 'pen," manager Craig Albernaz said. "I remember seeing him in Oakland when I was in San Francisco [from 2020-23] when we played. Heavy sinker, turbo sinker, the ability to throw strikes, and I just remember him just attacking hitters no matter what the circumstance was. He never was fazed. And obviously, he's had his arm injury since then. I wouldn't say he's back to his form, but he's healthy and he's back pitching.
"He was throwing the ball extremely well, the velo's there. So we're excited to have him."
The O’s bullpen has been solid for much of the year so far, but they’re now missing closer Ryan Helsley, who went on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation on Friday. However, Helsley isn’t expected to miss significant time, as he's started treatment and is scheduled to be re-evaluated for throwing later this week.
Trivino should provide another reliable right-handed relief arm for an Orioles bullpen already featuring Rico Garcia, Yennier Cano and rookie Anthony Nunez.
It was always likely that Gibson (Baltimore's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline) would be optioned after making his MLB debut at Yankee Stadium on Sunday. The Orioles already had five other starters on their active roster (Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt, Brandon Young and Cade Povich), and they only needed Gibson after using both Bassitt and Young for Thursday's doubleheader vs. the Astros.
But Gibson had an encouraging first big league start, allowing three runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Yankees. The 23-year-old right-hander should be back in the Majors at some point later this year.
Bassitt, Young and Povich are scheduled to start on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, in Miami. Left-hander Trevor Rogers (illness) is also nearing a return to the O's rotation.