The Orioles’ second attempt to pass Cole Irvin through waivers has been unsuccessful. The Twins claimed Irvin this afternoon after the Orioles designated him for assignment yesterday.
Maton’s status remains unresolved.
The Orioles acquired Irvin and minor league pitcher Kyle Virbitsky from the Athletics in January 2023 in exchange for shortstop prospect Darell Hernaiz.
This season, Irvin appeared in 25 games with 16 starts, going 6-5 with a 4.86 ERA and a 1.407 WHIP in 107 1/3 innings, and recorded his second career save.
**Twins Claim Cole Irvin Off Waivers**
Irvin’s performance with the Orioles was inconsistent following his acquisition from the Oakland Athletics two offseasons ago. He appeared in 25 games for Baltimore, including 16 starts, with a 6-5 record and a 4.86 ERA. His statistics include one save, 25 walks, and 76 strikeouts. From 2021-22, Irvin had a 4.11 ERA in 62 starts, with a 16.8 percent strikeout rate and a solid 5.2 percent walk rate. He spent the rest of the 2023 season in a swingman role.
This season, Irvin made 16 starts and nine relief appearances. His 4.86 ERA was accompanied by a 16.2 percent strikeout rate and a 5.3 percent walk rate over 107 1/3 innings.
**An Injury-Ravaged Twins Roster**
The Twins are currently depending on three rookies – Simeon Woods Richardson, David Festa, and Zebby Matthews – to support their rotation alongside Pablo López and Bailey Ober. Irvin’s relatively low salary of $2 million this season and his arbitration-eligible status make him a cost-effective option. However, Irvin is out of minor league options, meaning he must stay on the Twins’ roster for the rest of the season and through the offseason. He could potentially pitch up to five innings, offering valuable depth for the Twins.
