Orioles lose Cole Irvin to AL Wild Card contender after DFA

As the Orioles have gone through plenty of struggles in 2024, one big reason why is the injuries piling up on the pitching staff. When outfielder Heston Kjerstad and pitcher Jacob Webb were activated from the IL ahead of Sunday's series finale against the Detroit Tigers, Nick Maton and Cole Irvin were DFAd to make room for them on the roster.

Just a day later, the Orioles officially lost Irvin to another AL playoff contender as the Minnesota Twins claimed him off waivers. The Twins added him to try and aid their ailing pitching staff as they've also been hit with injuries recently. Irvin is expected to join the Twins roster Tuesday.

After a disappointing first season with the Orioles in 2023, Irvin was someone who had to fight for a roster spot entering this season in spring training. After injuries to Kyle Bradish and John Means were announced early in the spring, Irvin made the Opening Day starting rotation and got off to a pretty solid start.

Cole Irvin's hot start with the Orioles didn't last

Unfortunately, things faded fast for Irvin. He currently has a 4.86 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 4.65 FIP while giving up over a homer per nine and averaging only 6.4 K/9 in 107 1/3 innings. Prior to the DFA, he's made16 starts and 9 relief appearances. He had already been designated for assignment this season but had made it through waivers previously, so he stayed in the organization with Triple-A Norfolk.

He had been fighting for his job with the Orioles due to the return of Webb and the impending return of reliever Danny Coulombe. He's arbitration eligible once again this offseason, so if he performs well enough for the Twins down the stretch as they push towards a playoff spot, they could opt to retain him at what is sure to be a cheap price.

With Irvin going to the Twins, there is also now a possibility of a revenge game. The last series of the regular season for the Orioles pits them against the Twins for three games, so it's possible Irvin gets a start or appears in relief in a game that could have legitimate playoff implications.