Forgotten former Orioles reliever earns another MLB shot after trade to Royals

Nearly two years have passed since he last pitched in a Major League Baseball game, but former Baltimore Orioles reliever Joey Krehbiel may soon get another big league opportunity after a trade sent him from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.

Baltimore claimed Krehbiel off waivers from the Rays in September 2021, and he made his Orioles debut soon after. He spent parts of the next two seasons with the Orioles before being designated for assignment and electing minor league free agency at the end of the 2023 campaign.

Krehbiel signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners last winter and spent the entire 2024 season with Triple-A Tacoma. He returned to the Rays organization on a minor league deal in January and has spent the entirety of the 2025 season up to this point at Triple-A Durham, where he has pitched to a rather uninspiring 6.11 ERA over 35 1/3 innings.

Forgotten former Orioles reliever Joey Krehbiel earns another MLB shot after trade to Royals

Krehbiel carved out a reliable middle relief role during his time in Baltimore, anchoring the bullpen during his breakout rookie season in 2022 with consistent outings after making the Opening Day roster for the first time in his career. Krehbiel logged a career-high 57 2/3 Major League innings in 2022 and recorded his first MLB save on July 16 that year – notably, against the Rays.

While 2023 saw him bounce between Triple-A and the majors, Krehbiel closed the season strong in limited appearances before moving on. In his most recent Major League action with the Orioles in 2023, Krehbiel pitched to a career-best 1.80 ERA in five innings over six late-season games.

Krehbiel emerged as a quiet but effective presence in Baltimore’s pen. His changeup, command, and mound awareness made him a key middle-inning arm in 2022. Although 2023 brought ups and downs, his brief late surge suggested continued value at the big league level, and he may soon get another opportunity in Kansas City.

Krehbiel brings MLB experience (70 Major League games, 3.65 ERA) and a track record of groundball-heavy, situational relief, which aligns well with Kansas City’s emphasis on command and controlling walks. He may begin as a depth option at Triple-A Omaha, but his minor league contract and remaining options will allow the Royals to shuttle him freely, making him an ideal call-up candidate as a reliable bridge arm without affecting the 40‑man roster.

While Krehbiel won’t immediately be part of the Royals’ high-leverage committee, his presence strengthens their bullpen depth significantly. As the Royals look to patch gaps in a bullpen that features several young arms still in search of some consistency, Krehbiel can bring big-league poise and veteran leadership to a young core in Kansas City.

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