Baltimore have announced the signing of a left-handed pitcher to a one-year Major League contract. While the team didn’t release the financial details, the pitcher—already a member of the Orioles organization—was expected to receive a salary around the league minimum as a pre-arbitration player.
Similar to the recent contracts handed out to other depth arms, this move appears designed to give the Orioles slightly more roster flexibility and a bit of extra control. By locking the pitcher into a Major League deal, Baltimore ensures that any club considering a claim if he’s designated for assignment might hesitate, especially if the salary comes in slightly above the minimum. Because he’s out of minor league options, the Orioles will have to designate him for assignment if they want to remove him from the 40-man roster later in the offseason.
Josh Walker has seen action in each of the last three Major League seasons, logging a 6.59 ERA over 27 1/3 innings while splitting time between the Mets and Blue Jays. All three of his 2025 big league outings came with Toronto before being traded to Philadelphia in late May. He then finished the season in Triple-A, first with the Phillies’ affiliate and later with Baltimore’s after being claimed off waivers in August.
Although his Major League track record and his 4.39 ERA across 174 1/3 Triple-A innings aren’t particularly eye-catching, he has posted a solid 25.7% strikeout rate at that level. The Orioles clearly saw some potential during his short stint in their system, and this new contract suggests they believe he could compete for a bullpen role when Spring Training arrives.