SPENSER WATKINS NEWS

Rejoins Orioles Watkins signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles on Thursday, Melanie Newman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Watkins was granted free agency Monday after he was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, but he'll return to the organization ahead of the 2022 campaign. The right-hander will serve as a non-roster invitee this spring after he posted an 8.07 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 54.2 innings across 16 appearances (10 starts) with the Orioles last year.

NOVEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Becomes free agent The Orioles granted Watkins free agency Monday after outrighting him off the 40-man roster over the weekend, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Impact The 29-year-old right-hander reached the majors for the first time in 2021, but he did little to prove he belonged there. Over 16 outings (10 starts) with Baltimore, Watkins delivered an 8.07 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 54.2 innings. He'll almost certainly have to settle for a minor-league deal with the Orioles or another organization this winter.

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dropped from 40-man roster Watkins was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Impact Watkins made his big-league debut at age-28 this season but failed to impress. In 10 starts and six relief appearances, he struggled to a 8.07 ERA, with his 13.7 percent strikeout rate and 33.5 percent groundball rate standing out as some of the primary culprits.

NOVEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gutierrez homers, 105-loss Orioles send Rangers to 99th loss

Kelvin Gutierrez homered to cap a three-run seventh inning and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Texas Rangers 3-2

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Recalled by Orioles Watkins was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

Impact The 29-year-old rookie owns an 8.42 ERA in 10 starts and four relief appearances so far this season, striking out just 13.6 percent of opposing batters. It looks as though he's up as a reliever this time around, taking the bullpen spot that had belonged to Tyler Wells, who landed on the injured list with a shoulder injury.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to Triple-A Watkins was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

Impact Watkins has an 8.42 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 33:19 K:BB over 51.1 innings this season and will head back to the minors. Recent waiver claim Brooks Kriske was added to the major-league roster in a corresponding move.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Judge starts 5-HR barrage to back Cole, Yanks beat O's 7-2

Aaron Judge started a five-homer barrage that backed Gerrit Cole, and the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 7-2 to win consecutive games for the first time since Sept. 1...

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Blue Jays hit five homers, pound Orioles 22-7

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Teoscar Hernández each hit a grand slam, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. slugged his 44th homer, and the Toronto Blue Jays overpowered the Baltimore Orioles 22-7, fin...

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Recalled by Baltimore Watkins was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk ahead of the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays.

Impact Watkins was sent to Norfolk at the end of August, but he'll be available out of the bullpen in Saturday's nightcap. The right-hander allowed a run on three hits and no walks while striking out three in three innings during his lone minor-league appearance after his demotion. Right-hander Marcos Diplan was sent to the Triple-A club to make room in the bullpen.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dan Connolly: After sending down Spenser Watkins and Paul Fry... - The Athletic After sending down Spenser Watkins and Paul Fry to Norfolk on Sunday, the Orioles promoted OF Ryan McKenna and RHP Zack Burdi on Monday. Bur...

AUGUST 30, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Sent down following loss Watkins was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Impact Watkins was charged with his seventh loss of the season Sunday when he allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out four in five innings against the Rays. The right-hander had posted a 1.65 ERA in 16.1 innings across his first four major-league appearances of the season, but he recorded a 10.57 ERA in 30.2 innings across his last seven outings. It's not yet clear who will take his place in the rotation.

AUGUST 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dan Connolly: Following this afternoon's game, the Orioles... - The Athletic Following this afternoon’s game, the Orioles optioned LHP Paul Fry and RHP Spenser Watkins to Triple-A Norfolk. Watkins allowed six runs in...

AUGUST 29, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Wendle slam, 6 RBIs; Rays finish 18-1 vs Orioles this year

Joey Wendle hit a pair of homers, including a grand slam, and drove in six runs to lead the Tampa Bay Rays over the Baltimore Orioles 12-8 for a three-game sweep

AUGUST 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Watkins expected to start as Orioles host the Rays

The Rays will start Chris Archer on Sunday while the Orioles are expected to counter with Spenser Watkins

AUGUST 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Arozarena HR in 8th, Rays keep pecking away at Orioles

Randy Arozarena hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Tampa Bays Rays continued their dominance over the Baltimore Orioles with a 4-3 victory

AUGUST 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Angels to take on Orioles on the road

The Angels will start Shohei Ohtani on Wednesday while the Orioles have yet to announce who will get the start

AUGUST 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tagged for eight runs Watkins surrendered eight runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out three across two innings during Tuesday's loss to the Angels. He did not factor into the decision.

Impact Aside from not serving up any free passes, Watkins failed to show any improvements Tuesday. The 28-year-old has now allowed 22 earned runs in 16 innings over his past four starts. His ERA is 12.38 in that time. If granted another opportunity to start, Watkins projects for a Sunday matchup against Tampa Bay.

AUGUST 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Orioles losing streak reaches 19 with 14-8 loss to Angels

The Baltimore Orioles staggered to their 19th consecutive loss, allowing 19 hits and falling behind the Los Angeles Angels by 11 runs early in a 14-8 rout

AUGUST 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bundy expected to start for the Angels against Orioles

The Angels will start Dylan Bundy on Tuesday and the Orioles are expected to counter with Spenser Watkins

AUGUST 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

LEADING OFF: Padres try new pitch, Reds-Brewers, O's skid

One day after firing pitching coach Larry Rothschild, the slumping San Diego Padres begin a three-game series Tuesday night against the NL West rival Los Angeles Dodgers

AUGUST 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Quantrill, Indians beat Angels 3-0 in Little League Classic

Cal Quantrill pitched two-hit ball over seven innings, Amed Rosario launched an early homer and the Cleveland Indians beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 in the Little League Classic

AUGUST 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Braves top Orioles 3-1 for Baltimore's 18th straight loss

Jorge Soler homered, Touki Toussaint pitched effectively into the sixth inning, and the surging Atlanta Braves beat Baltimore 3-1, extending the Orioles’ losing streak to 18 games

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

McClanahan scheduled to start for Tampa Bay against Baltimore

The Orioles will start Jorge Lopez on Thursday while the Rays are expected to counter with Shane McClanahan

AUGUST 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Handed fifth straight loss Watkins (2-5) surrendered four runs on eight hits and two walks with two strikeouts in four innings, taking the loss versus Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

Impact The right-hander has now lost his last five starts, and he's been limited to four innings in three of those outings. Watkins' strong start to his major-league career continues to seem more like an aberration. He now has a 5.63 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 25:16 K:BB through 40 innings across nine appearances (eight starts). If the 28-year-old gets another turn in the rotation, he lines up to face the Angels next week.

AUGUST 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Yarbrough, Rays hand Orioles 14th straight loss, 8-4

Ryan Yarbrough came off the COVID-19 injured list and worked five scoreless innings as the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays handed the Baltimore Orioles their 14th consecutive loss,...

AUGUST 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS