During Spring Training, the Baltimore Orioles are witnessing intense competition within their bullpen as team management and coaching staff assess potential candidates for the Opening Day roster.
The absence of Kyle Bradish and John Means due to injury has intensified the battle among relief pitchers. If they had been healthy, the competition might have been less fierce, but with both expected bullpen members transitioning to the starting rotation, opportunities have arisen for others.
Following a season where Mychal Givens only made six appearances due to extended periods on the injured list, the Orioles opted to part ways with the seasoned reliever. This marked Givens’ second tenure with the franchise since he was drafted in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft. After debuting six years later, he spent over six seasons with the Orioles, accumulating a 3.32 ERA across 296 games and 336 innings pitched. Despite being a key contributor, he was traded to the Colorado Rockies in 2020. Givens played for three other teams before rejoining the Orioles in 2023.
However, following a disappointing season marked by injuries and a decline in performance, the 33-year-old has signed a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins, as reported by Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. He will participate in their big league camp with hopes of showcasing his abilities during the exhibition period and securing a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Throughout his career, Givens has been a reliable reliever, boasting a 3.47 ERA across 425 games and over 460 innings pitched.
